105 
Ai nd whereas the French fisheries on our coasts are sustained and 
timulated by an enormous bounty from the French Government to 
'rench fishermen, and our people are in consequence unduly burdened in 
heir competition in foreign markets, to the almost complete exclusion 
f their fish products from the said markets, 
_ And whereas this proposed arrangement seeks to assert, perpetuate, 
and legalise a claim to the purchasing of bait by the French in all 
he ports of this colony without any reservation of power on the 
art of the colony to restrict them by local legislation, 
| And whereas the great decline of late years of the inshore fishery 
| 0 this colony has necessitated the turning of our attention to the 
Bank fishery and the economising of the supply of bait fishes, in 
which ample proof of a marked decadence has been shown within 
the past few years, 
_ And whereas the power of restricting the supply of bait on our 
asts to nations competing with our people in an industry which is 
th e staple support of the colony is vital to the commercial existence 
o! this country, which relies principally on its fisheries for the 
maintenance of its population, 
And whereas no acceptable equivalent is ceded to this colony for 
those large and important concessions proposed to be made by us 
» the French by this arrangement, 
J Be it therefore Resolved,—That for the reasons hereinbefore set forth, 
and by virtue of that constitutional right which has been so often 
a nd so clearly admitted by her Majesty’s Government to exist in 
the Legislature of this colony, 
_ We do consider it our bounden duty, in the interests of her 
“Majesty’s loyal subjects in Newfoundland and elsewhere, to respect- 
" fully decline to assent to the arrangement now proposed for our 
ratification. 
Respectfully submitted. 
A. W. Harvey, Chairman. W. J. 8S. DonneELLy, 
M. Moynroz, A. F. Goopriper, 
a CHaruus R. Ayre, Aumx. J. W. McNEI1ty, 
a J. SYMzE, M. H. Carry, 
i Onas. Crowny, Guo. H. Eamrson, 
Cuas. Bowrinc, Exxis C. Watson, 
4 Rozert THORBURN, A. BrapsHaw, 
ss J. S. Wiyter, H. W. Lz Messurrer, 
x A. M. Maoxay. 
7 
Commirrze Room, March, 1887. 
/ 
