NEWFOUNDLAND FISHERIES

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13484, 25 July 1907, Page 5

NEWFOUNDLAND FISHERIES

AN AMERICAN THREAT.

Jnited Press- Association — By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright. . "'" ST. JOHN'S, July 24. Unless the "modus vivendi" of last year is renewed, the United States herring fishers threaten to bring full American crews to Newfoundland ,rendering 800 colonists unemployed.

(It was in 1905 that friction arose between the United States and Newfoundland regarding the right of American fishermen to engage in winter herring fishery on the west coast of Newfoundland. The root of the colony's grievance was that American vessels had come to buy Newfoundland herrings, which were then admitted to the States duty free, whereas the same herrings taken to the States in Newfoundland vessels were charged a duty. The Colonial Government then tried to enforce v fche Bait Act against the United States fishermen, forbidding Newfoundland fishermen to sell bait to them or to become members of their crews. Last year a Foreign Fishing Vessels Act, cpntaining the severest regulations against foreign fishing vessels, was passed, but was reserved for the King's assent. Negotiations between the British and United States Governments then began. Finally a "modus vivendi" was arranged for the season 1906-7. The Hoinei Government agreed not to bring into force the Foreign Fishing Vessels Act of 1906 or certain sections of the Act of 1903. The United States Government directed American vessels to report at the Newfoundland Customhouse on arrival and departure, to pay small dues, to abstain from Sunday fishing, and to recruit Newfoundland fishermen when necessary, only outside the three-mile limit. The colony's opinion seemed to be very strong against this arrangement, and the Newfoundland Government announced its intention to enforce every possible statute against the Americans.

A Reuter message received a few days ago said: "Negotiations between Britain and the United States respecting a modus yivendi" for the winter herring fisheries have reached a deadlock owing to Britain's inability to enforce the suggested clause, preventing Newfoundland serving legal processes on American vessels. Newfoundland refuses to agree to the clause, and the British Government must obtain the Imperial Parliament's approval before it is able to enforce its prohibition over the colony's vote")