2E l^he Fishery Question : 



national unity that is the natural outcome of confederation, and 

 fully conscious that their existence or prosperity does not depend 

 ou tlie commercial caprice of any country, they can survey the 

 whole situation with confidence and equanimity. They feel 

 at the same time that, with the friendly feeling that now 

 exists between England, the United States, and Canada, the 

 prospects of a newtreatyandof the settlement of the whole Fishery 

 question ought to be favourable. It is true there are signs of opposi- 

 tion to a Fishery Commission shown in New England ; but they 

 are of a purely selfish nature, and not based on broad national 

 considerations, and they should not prevail in the face of the 

 statesmanlike action already taken by President Cleveland and 

 Secretary Bayard. 



Of the national importance of the fisheries there is abundant 

 evidence. It may be said of the maritime provinces of the 

 Dominion, as of the wealthy city of Amsterdam, that the origin 

 of their prosperity must be sought in the fisheries. They form 

 the basis of a great commerce, and of a large and increasing 

 marine, only exceeded in aggregate tonnage by three nations of 

 the world. At the present time Canada exports fish to the 

 annual value of £1,800,000 sterling, of which the United States 

 take £800,000, and the West Indies and South American 

 countries about £750,000. Newfoundland has an export trade 

 to about the same amount, but her commerce is chiefly with 

 Spain, Portugal, and South America. The prosecution of the 

 fisheries and their carriage to foreign countries have served to 

 create a hardy and industrious class of men, who possess all the 

 qualities of first-rate sailors. The following tabular statement 

 will show the importance that this industry has attained in each 

 of those provinces of Canada largely engaged in maritime 

 pursuits : — 



Decked vessels. Boats. Men. 



Nova Scotia . . 796 ... 7,528 ... 30,000 



New Brunswick . . 2U ... 4,440 ... 9,000 



Prince Edward Island . 25 ... 2,704 ... 5,500 

 Quebec . . .146 ... 6,761 ... 11,000 



Total . . 1,181 21,433 55,500 * 



The figures for Newfoundland are not available, but we may 

 add 36,000 as probably the number of men engaged in all th.e 

 fisheries in that island. The carriage of the products of the sea 

 gives employment to a large proportion of the shipping of British 

 North America. In 1857 the iJominion of Canada owned 5,882 

 vessels, with an aggregate tonnage of 800,000 tons, and valued 

 at £5,000,000 sterling. The construction of steam and iron vessels 

 of recent years has necessarily lessened the demand for wooden 



