61 
886. The export from Newfoundland fell from 1,344,180 qtls. 
n 1886, to 1,080,024 qtls. in 1887, and to 1,175,720 qtls. in 
a total decrease within two years of only 168,360 qtls., or 
mly 124 per cent. of the export of 1886, as against 34 per cent. 
he case of St. Pierre; and while the decrease of exports from 
h latter in 1887 was followed by a still larger decrease in 1888, 
the decrease of exports from Newfoundland in 1887 was followed 
by an increase in 1888. The official figures for 1889 have not 
yet been published, but reliable private information is to the 
a pet that the export from St. Pierre decreased to 300,000, or 
s than for any year since 1880, and about 455,000 qtls. less 
an in 1887; whereas the exports of Newfoundland amounted 
in 1889 to 1,076,507 qtls., or about the same as in 1887. 
] FRENCH BOUNTIES AND THEIR EFFECT. 
___ Two questions are naturally suggested by the figures quoted— 
First, what was the cause of the remarkable increase of exports 
rom St. Pierre from 1881 to 1886, both inclusive,—an increase 
‘ side by side with a positive decrease in the neighbouring colony 
of Newfoundland? Second, what was the cause of the equally 
re markable decrease of exports from that port in 1886, 1887, 
/ +1888, and 1889—a decrease so much greater proportionately than 
that which occurred in Newfoundland? The explanation is easily 
_ made. Prior to 1882 the French pursued the fishery upon the 
coasts of Newfoundland upon which they had treaty rights, and 
_ that fishery was increasingly unprofitable; but in or about 
_ that year they were forced to turn their attention to some new 
apt field for their labours, and found it in the Grand Bank fishery. 
] n 1881 the value of the cod-fish taken by the French upon the 
ast of Newfoundland was estimated at $342,588; in 1882 at 
F $244,800; and in 1889 thé catch of the seven French vessels 
" employed in that fishery was not over 5,000 qtls., valued at 
about $20,000. With St. Pierre as a base of operations, and 
with the privilege of obtaining fresh bait from Newfoundlanders 
- who carried it to St. Pierre for sale, the French fishermen would 
have been able probably to carry on the Bank fishery successfully, 
even without additional advantages. But an additional advantage 
"of a most potent kind they did have, and its effect is testified to by 
"the figures showing the remarkable growth of St. Pierre exports up 
tothe time when Newfoundland refused permission to its fishermen 
