The Washington times., 1911-02-02
FREE DUTY ON FISH
TO CUT LIVING COST
Figures Show How United
States Will Benefit BY
Canadian Reciprocity.

N was stated today from a source
close to the President that in providing
for free fish in the Canadian reci-
procity agreement, one of the purposes
was to help cheaper the food supply in
this country
In this connection, interesting figures
are presented on the use and importa-
tion of fish in this country. Consump-
ton of fish is growing rapidly, and in
the last decade the imports of fish into
the United States have practically dou-
bled. In the last fiscal year they
amounted to $13,S36.000. These figures
are evidence that American fishermen
ere no longer able to supply the home
demand for food fish. In 1910 imports
of fish from Canada were valued at
8, ,S29, ,OOO or about IS per cent of the
total imports of fish into this country.
At the same time, Canada exported
about S16,OOO.OOO worth of fish.
Vast Fishing Interests.
Those who believe the reciprocity
agreement with respect to the free fish
feature would work benefit to this
county point out that the territorial
hshing grounds of Canada, together
with about one quarter of a million
square miles of fresh water in the inter-
tor, constitute not only the most extern
siVe but the most abundantly stocked
commercial fishing waters in the world
Canada has a fishing fleet of 1,723 ves-
sels and l.170 boats, manned by 6S, 663
men. The value of the output of Cana
dian fisheries has increased steadily
from year to year and amounted in the
fiscal year 1910 to about $30,OOO,0OO. Ac-
cording TO the Canadian department
OF marine and fisheries this yield could
be greatly increased.
! is said in support of the reciproc-
lty agreement that the placing of
salmon on the free list, which are now
dutiable at cent pound, should prove
beneficial to the American canning in
dustry on the Pacific coast The value
OF the sa''non catch in British Colum-
bia alone .ast season amounted to near
ly S,OO0000. Most of this was used in
British Columbia canneries. The free
admission of salmon would enable the
Pacific coast canneries to purchase
fresh salmon from British Columbia in
seasons when the run was light in Am
erican waters, and thus serve to equal
lie the supply, and insure steady work
In the canning season. Salmon con-
tains about three times the nutriment
OF cod, and about twice that of lean
beef More than 100000 pounds of
salmon are Caught annually in the prov
tnces of Nova Scotia and New Bruins
wick, a large proportion Of which
would be available for the Eastern
United States markets.
The Mackerel Trade.
By removal of the duty on mackerel,
now l cent pound, this fish, the sup
ply Of which is scant, could be imported
in larger quantities. The mackerel in
dustry in this country is negligible.
The deputy United States Fish Com |
missioner estimates that by the bet |
ter markets resulting from free fish
Canada could supply the United States |
yearly with 100000 pounds of fresh |
ced, from 100000 to 5000, 600 pounds OF |
haddock, and 100000 pounds of hake.
A largely increased quantity of pol |
lock, herrings, smelts, and other food
fishes would also be supplied The
fresh halibut fleet sailing from Van
couver, British Columbia, could sup
ply the United Statets with about H.
OOO,O 900 pounds of fresh halibut yearly