igS THE NEWFOUNDLAND FISHERY QUESTION. 



settlement, and they believe that the acceptance of the modifications abore sug- 

 gested would tend materially to commend the arrangement to the favourable 

 consideration of both Houses. 



In consequence, therefore, of the request made by the Government 

 of Newfoundland, for a modification of the Convention, signed 26th 

 April, 1884, an exchange of diplomatic notes took place between 

 the Governments of England and France, and after considerable 

 efforts on both sides had been made to arrive at a satisfactory 

 arrangement on these two subjects, the result was that the de- 

 mands of the Government of Newfoundland were substantially 

 conceded. 



The Commissioners for England and France assembled for a 

 second time at Paris for the purpose of considering the proposed 

 modifications in the Convention, and the result of their deliberations 

 was, that on the 14th November, 1885, they were instructed by their 

 respective Governments to sign the second Convention containing 

 several new Clauses, having reference to the only two subjects raised 

 by the Newfoundland Government, first with regard to mining 

 operation, wharves, and railway buildings, and secondly in regard to 

 the number of French Officials in the harbours for the guardianship 

 of the French fishing establishments. 



In the Despatch of H.M. Minister of the Colonies the Right Hon. 

 F. A. Stanley, M.P. (who had succeeded, on the change of 

 the Administration, the Right Hon. the Earl of Derby), addressed 

 to the Governor of Newfoundland, after reviewing in a lucid manner 

 the course and character of the negotiations, he observes in con- 

 clusion : 



Her Majesty's Government trust that the efforts which have been made in the 

 course of the recent negotiations to arrive at such a settlement of the fishery question 

 as would admit of the development of the resources of the Colony of Newfoundland 

 on those parts of the coast where the French have fishery rights, whilst at the same 

 time in no way curtailing the existing fishery rights of either British or French subjects 

 on those coasts, will be duly appreciated by the Government and Legislature of 

 Newfoundland. 



This amended Convention entered into by the Governments of 

 Great Britain and France, on its receipt by the Newfoundland 

 Government, was duly presented to the Legislative Council, and 

 House of Assembly, and a Joint Select Committee was appointed by 

 the two latter bodies to examine and report thereupon, and in 

 March, 1887, it presented the following resolutions for the consider- 

 ation of the Legislature : — 



