448 MISCELLANEOUS 



strictions which the government of this colony had placed on Cana- 

 dian vessels visiting our shores for bait in that year: " Our men are in 

 terrible straits to know what to do under these circumstances, as 

 their bait for the Grand Bank for our summer trip is almost wholly 

 obtained on the south side of Newfoundland. The Grand Bank has 

 been the summer resort of our fishermen for many years, and from 

 various bays on the south coast of Newfoundland their supply of 

 bait has been drawn, these being much less of distance and a greater 

 certainty of bait than Canadian waters. We have hitherto enjoyed 

 the privilege of obtaining bait in Newfoundland to the fullest extent, 

 paying only such internal fees and taxes as were proper. The result 

 of the action of the Newfoundland government will be most dis- 

 astrous, and one season alone will prove its dire effects on the fish- 

 ing fleet of Nova Scotia and the shipyards now also so busy and 

 prosperous. 



This communication is important evidence as to the value ef the 



gosition we occupy as mistress of the northern seas so far as the 

 sheries are concerned. Herein was evidence that it is within the 

 power of the legislature of this colony to make or mar our com- 

 petitors to the North Atlantic fisheries. Here was evidence that by 

 refusing or restricting the necessary bait supply we can bring our 

 foreign competitors to realize their dependence upon us. One of 

 the objects of this legislation is to bring the fishing interests of 

 Gloucester and New England to a realization of their dependence 

 upon the bait supplies of this colony. No measure could have been 

 devised having more clearly for its object the conserving, safeguard- 

 ing, and protecting of the interests of those concerned in the fisheries 

 of the colony. 



If this bill goes into force, as I believe it will, it must be the means 

 of keeping up the high price of fish, for if we curtail competition we 

 must obtain that result. 



I regret that there should be any difference of opinion in this 

 House as regards the desirability, if not necessity, of this measure, 

 the policy of which is the conservation of our fisheries, as well as the 

 betterment of those engaged in them. 



I beg to move the House into Committee of the Whole on the bill. 



REPLY OF MR. MORINE TO SIR ROBERT BOND'S SPEECH OF APRIL 12, 1905. [] 



Mr. MORINE. He thought that the remarks of the Premier were 

 out of order, and would have better been made in committee. He, 

 therefore, asked the permission of the house to reply. The hon. the 

 Premier divided his subject into two main points: First, the winter 

 herring fishery ; second, the bait fishery. He intended to follow the 

 Premier's division ; but before taking them up, there were one or two 

 generalities upon which he wished to speak. The hon. Premier 

 accused him of saying that the intention of the measure was unpa- 

 triotic as it would drive the people to the States to engage in the 

 herring fishery. He did not think he said intention. If he did, he 



[ Extract from the St. John's (Newfoundland) Evening Telegram, April 14 

 & 15, 1U05.] 



