464 MISCELLANEOUS 



his negotiations rested was wrong, and that the present measure 

 would be a failure, he was afraid to change the past. Everything 

 that the Premier had done in this connection turned out to be a 

 failure. He, Mr. M., had not at that stage intended speaking at such 

 length, as he could have availed himself of the opportunity when 

 the bill was in committee, but he felt himself constrained to make 

 answer to the arguments and accusations which had been made by the 

 right hon. Premier, and he now left the matter in the hands of the 

 house, and if the accuracy of his arguments were not vindicated in 

 the house they would be by the people, and if not by the people, then 

 in the hereafter. 



On motion, the bill was referred to a committee of the whole. 



Mr. Speaker left the chair. 



Mr. Barnes took the chair of the committee. 



SPEECH OF THE RIGHT HON. SIR ROBERT BOND, K. C. M. G., P. C., PREMIER, 

 ON THE MOTION TO GO INTO COMMITTEE OK THE WHOLE ON ADDRESS TO 

 THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLOXIES. IN RELATION TO THE MODUS 

 VIVENDI ENTERED INTO BETWEEN HIS MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT AND THE 

 GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA RESPECTING THE 

 FISHERIES OF THE WEST COAST, FEBRUABY 12, 1907. L] 



In moving the adoption of this address I would crave the indul- 

 gence of the House if, in doing so, I am compelled to trespass upon 

 its tune and patience longer than is my custom. In dealing with 

 this question it will be necessary for me to quote in full such de- 

 spatches as I am permitted to table, and also have reference to other 

 data that, I regret to say, I am not permitted to lay upon the table 

 of this House. 



This is the first opportunity that has been afforded the govern- 

 ment to publicly state their position in relation to the modus virendi 

 entered into in October last between His Majesty's Government and 

 that of the United States of America. 



I have seen quotations from a local newspaper in the British 

 press, accompanied by the statement that the extracts had appeared 

 in my " personal organ," and were believed to have been " inspired " 

 by me. I have no " personal organ," and I have not " inspired " 

 anything that has appeared in the local newspapers. When I was 

 waited on by a representative of the local press and asked for an 

 opinion on the modus vivendi, I respectfully intimated to the gentle- 

 man who desired to interview me that I considered it best to refrain 

 from giving expression to the government's views until the legis- 

 lature met. 



The time has now arrived for the government to fully and freely 

 set forth its position on this question. It would perhaps be too much 

 for me to expect that my views and opinions will pass unchallenged, 

 but I am hopeful that my statement will convince the House that the 

 question involved in the modus vivendi is not a mere party, political 

 one, but a grave constitutional question in which this colony and 

 the other colonies of the Empire are interested, and that, therefore, 

 unanimity of action in respect thereto may be secured. There has 

 been unanimity of action outside this colony. 



[ British Blue Book, Newfoundland, October, 1907, p. 108.] 



