NE WFOUNDLAND FISHERIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13355, 8 December 1906, Page 9

NE WFOUNDLAND FISHERIES.

THE MODUS VIVENDI.

The following communication was issued by ■the Foreign Office in London last month respecting the Newfoundland fisheries question : —': .. , ' ./■„■',. ' ."■',. .""' :. Certain questions, which it was not possible to settle before the beginning of the winter season, having arisen with the United States Government as to the conditions on which the "American fishery rights on the coast of Newfoundland under the Convention of 1818 aro to be exercised, His Majesty's Government have concluded with the United States Government, r,- pending.- awl without prejudice to the further discussion of those questions, a provisional arrangement in tho nature of a modus yivendi applicable to the present season-, on the following basis: —' ' ;•.'.,'?.'.-'' His Majesty's Government will not bring into force the Newfoundland Foreign Fishing Vessels Act, 1906, which imposes on United States fishing vessels certain restrictions in addition to those imposed ; by. the Act of 1905: and the provisions of the first section of the Ait of 1905 as to boarding: and bringing in port, and also the wbolo of section 3 of the same Act,.will not be regarded a* applying to American fishing vessels.

His Majesty's Government further conscut to the use of purse seine* by American' fishermen during the ensuing season, subject to due regard being paid in the use ol such implements to other modes of fishery. . The United States (Government, in return, will direct, the masters of American fishing vessels to conform, when physically possible to do so, with the colonial Customs law as to reporting at a Custom "house on arrival in and departure from colonial waters, to pay light dues, and to abstain from Sunday fishing. The United States Government further, while maintaining their right to recruit Newfoundlanders for the fishery outside territorial waters, have assured His Majesty's Government that such shipments, if found necessary, will be made at, a sufficient distance beyond the tbrec-miie limit.