[longley] difficulties WITH NEWFOUNDLAND 263 



disadvantage with fishermen from the United States. Additional 

 duties were imposed upon Canadian goods and it is alleged that 

 American fishermen were tacitly permitted by the Newfoundland 

 authorities to fish within the three mile limit on their coasts. The 

 Fishery Department at Ottawa was deluged with complaints from 

 fishermen who had been treated in a high-handed manner by the 

 Newfoundland authorities. The Imperial Government declined to 

 interfere, except in the way of friendly persuasion, and the war went 

 on with increased bitterness. 



The Minister of Justice pronounced the Bait Act unconstitutional, 

 and impossible of enforcement in the courts. The Colonial Ofiice pro- 

 posed a reference of this point to the Privy Council for judicial deter- 

 mination. The Canadian Government agreed to this and prepared a 

 case, which was sent to London and to Newfoundland, but the Govern- 

 ment of that colony declined to join in it or agree to the reference, 

 and the Imperial Government thought it not advisable to have the 

 matter referred ex parte. 



The next resource of the Canadian Government was to bring 

 actions in the Newfoundland courts to recover back the money alleged 

 to have been illegally exacted from the owners of Canadian fishing 

 vessels, "and a number of these suits were pending when it at last 

 became evident to the Newfoundland authorities that a polic>- of 

 hostility and bickering with Canada could only result in the end in 

 permanent injury to both, and, as pointed out by the Colonial Sec- 

 retary, "seriously endanger the friendly relations which should exist 

 between the dift'erent possessions of the Crown." On the 16th April 

 the Canadian Government made a definite proposal to the Newfound- 

 land Government that both countries should, during the present 

 season, resume and retain the status quo anterior" to the enforcement 

 of the Bait Act, to which the Newfoundland Government replied 

 on May 21st that they agreed, "in order to meet the views of H.M. 

 Government and to restore friendly relations between the two col- 

 onies," to revert to the status quo of 1889 for the current year and for a 

 conference to effect an amicable adjustment of existing differences. 

 This happy solution was agreed to and the inconvenience, bickering 

 and ill feeling ceased. 



It was arranged that the representatives of the two governments 

 should meet at some convenient time and place to endeavor to reach 

 some understanding in regard to the old difficulties. The place 

 ultimately agreed upon was Halifax. The time November 9th. 1892. 

 Canada was represented by Sir John Thompson, Messrs. Bowell and 

 Chapleau. Newfoundland by Sir William Whiteway, Messrs. Bond 

 and Harvey. 



