81 
, has a status or consultative claim in the control or dis- 
ic on of our property, and we humbly demur to any recog- 
‘ ai tion of their pretensions in this respect. We acknowledge no 
authority but that of the Imperial Government, and their 
“rights of dominion are wisely limited by our constitutional 
‘ powers, which secure for us the free exercise of our instructed 
‘ intelligence in the management of our local affairs. 
be: “ The decision of Her Majesty’s Government leaves us to deal 
vith disheartening prospects for another year, the effects being 
‘ al eady seen in the restriction and abandonment of proposed 
* enterprise, but we cannot believe that any alleged difficulties 
“will be allowed further to supersede the rights and mar the 
“fortunes of the loyal people of this colony, struggling to main- 
“tain their position as an independent and honourable appendage 
= of i British Crown. 
* ALEX. J. W. McNEILy, Speaker. 
_ “House of Assembly, Feb. 21, 1887.” 
a. 
va 
= 
| 
| 
i a A NEW BAIT ACT (1887) ALLOWED. 
| As the result of the active measures taken by the Govern- 
H mer of Newfoundland, the Bait Act of 1887 was assented to, and 
mediately came into operation, with gratifying results. The 
a ports from St. Pierre since the Bait Act came into operation 
_ have been as follow :— 
> ~~ ‘Wnl887_— i...) 754,770 gts. of 112 lbs, each. 
| a weer... 004,520, . 
ey » 1889 (about) 300,000 ,, az 
_ During the same years the exports from Newfoundland have 
} be en as follow — 
In 1887 2S 1,080,024 gtls. of 112 lbs. each. 
4 aes. 61,178,720, 53 ‘. 
: a a pe 35 1890 eee ] 076, 507 $9 ” 
___ By comparison of the above figures with those given ow page 
4 00, it will be perceived that in the first year of the operation of 
_ the Bait Act the exports of St. Pierre decreased 153,530 qtls., in 
\a te « second year decreased 160,241 qtls., and in the third year 
: ased 294,529 qtls., or about 608,300 qtls. within three years, 
a rd had then reached a condition worse than for many previous 
‘years, 
BO 6 
ea 
al 
= 
