New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-02
BONDS MISSION HERE.
PREMIER COMING TO
DISCUSS RECIPROCITY IN
FISH PRODUCTS.

st. Johns n. F.. Sept 1 SpeciaD--sir Robert
Bonds mission to Washington. 70 discuss reci-
procity in fish products. il is thought here. Will
probably raise again the whole issue of free trade
with Canada AS regards the fisheries difhcul5y,
it is admitted that Gloucester blocks the way.
This Massachusetts, seaport is the centre OF the
New-EngIand fisheries. and from il is sent out the
feet which tries fer cod and halibut the Grand
Banks This deep fishing is regarded as a
representative American industry and obtains the
benefit of the protective tariff: but the fact Is
that. except for the American capital in it. Il Is
not American industry.
This fact is not disguised at Gloucester. The
newspapers frankly admit that the native born
will not take to the business. because work of
much easier kind is obtainable on shore. and that
the feet crews made up almost wholly OF New
foundlanders. Nova Scotiaus. Scandinavians and
Portuguese Even if this denied. the annual
death roll OF The feet would prove it. Last year
\ ninety-two lives were lost from the Gloucester
fleet. of which only eleven were those Of native
born Americans OF two ships which sank with
all hands one had Americans and the other
only
The Newfoundland Premier has something to
offer the United States for the concession OF reCi-
procity- The American fishermen want bait TO
carry their operations. and this bait Is pro-
durable only in Newfoundland waters Every
United States fishing vessel which visits the Grand
Banks has to enter Newfoundland ports FOR
supply of bait Without this bait they could not
caplin and squid small fishes got along shore
and the Americans buy this and pack it in ice
for the Banks As the Americans have
fishing rights within the three-mile limit they
have to recognize Newfoundland authority by
obtaining license and paying a Zee of 81 80 ton
register.
This is why Premier Bond Is in so strong posi-
ton in proposing fishery reciprocity. The Anerf-
fishermen are not so much concerned about
the amount of the license. afraid that they
may be excluded from this bait supply altogether.
They cannot obtain any substitute. and Canadian
waters have nothing like an adequate bait supply
for Canada's vessels. Last year ninety-nins
out Of the Canadian feet of 157 obtained bait in
Newfoundland waters. and sixty-sfx American
sells also baited there besides which nearly two
hundred and fifty thousand barrels Of herring were
taken from there in American bottoms. to be used
bait by the United States fishermen on the
Southern Banks and the New-ErgIand coast
For years the island has excluded the French
from to its bait and caused a decided de-
cline in the extent and value Of Frances fish
ing operations. and also IN the prosperity OF ST.
overseas work in the North Atlantic.
of the most Complicated of those before the Joint
High Commission which sat at Washington and
its Premier Sir James Winter. It had reused 10
recognize any fishery arrangement which might
rangement was reached by the commission one
canada had divergent interests The American
delegates were willing to frame an agreement with
Were that Newfoundland could give a bait supply
to the Americans and would require a market for
only part OF its catch OF fish whereas If rect
procity were granted to Canada she would want
TO send her whole eaten into American markets.
and would have bait TO give in return. New
foundland. being island. and remote would be
prevented from making full shipments OF ( to
United States ports but Canada could easily send
all it's fish there Dy rail
BY the ACQUISITION Of Porto Rico and the close
relations with Cuba. the United States fishermen
have have secured two valuable new markets for fish
means OF discriminating duty of three-fourths
of cent pound This betterS the position OF
the American FISH exporters. and weakens that OF
the Canadians. who have large stocks on hand
now and of diSposng of them. They
would be glad 10 throw these into the United
States now under reciprocity, hoping to And
markets there. The Canadians conduct their Ash
cries cheaply by about 40 per than the
Americans. being aided in this by their closer
proximity the fishing grounds
The Bond Blaine convention will doubtless be
renewed. is thought here. II will serve
experiment in reciprocity.