COUNTER-CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 263 



is due to the result of the operation of the modus vivendi, 

 and to exaggerated rumours of all descriptions circulated 

 in connection with the present Arbitration and the ante- 

 cedent negotiations. When these eleuients of uncertainty 

 pass away, there is no conceivable reason why the seal- 

 skin supply sliould not continue to be as even and constant 

 as that of any other of the numerous furs dealt with in the 

 trade. That the fears expressed are not shared by the fur 

 traders of Great Britain and France is proved by the fact 

 that, with the exception of the agents of the North Amer- 

 ican Commercial (Jompauy, and their partners in trade, 

 Messrs. Martin and Sons, those engaged in the seal-skin 

 business of Great Britain, and also the firm of Messrs. 

 E6villon, of Paris, who do a business of 4,000,000 fr, a-year 

 in seal-skius, are practically all agreed in stating that they 

 are not in favour of the proposal that pelagic sealing should ^ ^^^^^ ^^j 

 be suppressed. These men of business may be presumed ii, pp. 230-253. 

 to know their own interests, and they dread the existence 

 of a monopoly which the proposed suppression of pelagic 

 sealing might tend to create. 



The third contention is, that there is little or no capital 

 invested in the Canadian pelagic industry, and that, com- 

 pared with fur-seal industries in other countries, the Cana- 

 dian industry is scarcely worth consideration. 



The value of the Canadian fleet. 



In advancing this contention, the Case of the United caYe,p?276?*^*^* 

 States throws doubt upon the of&cial Returns as to 

 309 the value of the Canadian fleet, made by Mr. Milne, 

 Collector of Customs at Victoria, for the years 1889 

 and 1890, because the total value of the fleet and its value 

 per ton in the year 1890 are in excess of those given for 

 the year 1889. And the remark is made that it is difficult 

 to see how the wear and tear of a vessel can appreciate its 

 value. 



It will be seen, however, on an examination of the doc- 

 uments in question, that in the year 1890 the number of the 

 fleet had considerably increased, and not only this, but the 

 new vessels added are of a higher class and of a much 

 more costly descrij^tion. 



The fact is, that each year competition produced its ..-^PP®°di^>^ol' 

 natural results. Owing to the demand for their services, "' ^' 

 skilled hunters became particular in selecting vessels in 

 which they would serve, and they declined to go to sea in 

 vessels which did not contain what they considered ade- 

 quate accommodation and equipment. Also, the desire to 

 obtain a better price for the skins caused the owners to 

 construct the new vessels so that they should afford greater 

 facilities for flaying and salting. These improved methods 

 have had no doubt an important eflect in enhancing the 

 value of north-west skins. 



Mr. Milne's figures for the year 1889 are practically con- Qg^"'^^ f*^* 

 firmed by Mr. T. T. Williams, a gentleman chiefly cited by voLii.p.MO? ' 

 the United States on the question of the value of the Cana- 

 dian fleet, and he further testifies to Mr. Milne's honesty 

 and correctness. It is true that he difl'ers from Mr. Milne 



