New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-28
NEWFOUNDLAND'S CASE.
soRD KNITsNORD'S COERCION BILL PASSES
IT'S SECOND READING IN THE LORDS.
IT'S AUTHOR DENIES THAT THE MEASURE TOOK
THE COLONY BY SURPRISE AND STATES
THE CONDITION on WHICH 1T
WILL BE DRoPPED-LoRD
sALISBURY's REMARKS.


Tnndon April 27.-In moving the second read
,nr Of his Newfoundland bill, generally known
.s the Newfoundland Coercion bill, in the House
81 Lords to-day Lord Knutsford, the Secretary
NJ State for Colonial Affairs. cOntended that the
hill did not interfere with local questions IN New
.oundland or with the independence OF the 20
,orial Legislature. Lord KnutSfoTd also sald that
n was a matter of imperial obligation that the
arrangements affecting the fishing rights OF France
should be as binding upon the Colony as upon the
Emnire. The Government. he added desires TO
noet the wishes OF the cOlonsts 50 far as IS con-
sistept with international obligations LORD
Knutsford denied that the measure took the col
onists by surprise. The Colonial Government
said the Colonial Secretary never held ont any
homes that they would consent TO legislation on
the basis Of arbitration and they could not eN-
meet the French Government TO accept general
arbitration II the coonists made that the sine
oua non, the Imperial Government would go on
With the bill in It's present form Tie second
,eadinr of the bill would not take place In the
House Of Commons before Whitsuntide week OF
Nav l5), thus giving ample tine to consider any
amendment which might be suggested TO the
Governments measure. Lord KnutSford also
hoped that reasonable cOunsels would prevail ana
that harmony would thus be maintained
Lord Knutsford, continuing, said that if before
the bill reached the House Of Commons the
Colonial Legislature passed an act which. IN 'he
Governments opinion, was sufficient TO secure uhe
Observance of the modus vivendi of 1891 ana 10
enforce the decision of the Arbitration Commission
Oh the lobster question, and IN regard TO uhe
treaties existing between England and France, the
Government would not proceed with the Dill.
But If such an act was not passed by the Colohlal
LEGISLATURE, it would be necessary to pass the
Imperial Governments measure as rapidly as pos
sibe The Government was ready to consider
with the Newfoundland delegates the terms OF
the bill which they suggested might he discussed,
But difficulties of an international character re-
ouired careful handling, and the passage OF the
Colonial act should not be delayed until the terms
proposed by the Imperial bill were settled. The
Government saw no difficulty in giving the colony
of Newfoundland representation on the Arbitration
Commission; in fact the Government had requested
the colony TO name delegate to act on the present
Arbitration Commission but the colony had re
fused to do So THE colonists may be assured,
said Lord Knutsford, "that we should not further
press any of the subsidiary points referred 10
arbitration until the Imperial Government mad
fully consulted the cOlOnists.
Lord Salisbury said that Newfoundland might
have had reason to complain if the Government
had attempted to rush the bill through; but the
amplest time had been given to the Newfoundland
Legislature to act in harmony with the Imperial
Government He trusted the Newfoundland Leg
islature would pass the measures suggested; then
the present bill need not be further pursued. The
best and most peaceful settlement would be for
the Newfoundland Legislature thus 10 take the
matter into its own hands, lie hoped that before
long the French reluctance to submit their general
rights to arbitration would be overcome, and all
Of the difficulties settled which were now i'm
periling Engand's relations with her ally and in
junng the industry of the colonstS whose we'll
being England valued highly.
The Earl of Kimberly said that the Newfound-
land Government ought to have been advised of
the Imperial intention in regard to NEWFOUNDLAND
The present position of affairs demanded that the
bill ought not to be carried further until the New
foundand Legislature had further considered the
matter Lord Kimberly hoped that Lord Knuts
tord's measure would never be required.
Lord Dunraven criticised the bill adversely. All
of the questions involved, he said ought TO be sub
mitted TO arbitration.
Lord Herschell thought that Newfoundland was
Sustly indignant, seeing that France pressed the
treaties beyond legitimate bounds
Tie bill passed a second reading without a
division.