§ MR. BADEN-POWELL (Liverpool, Kirkdale)asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether overt acts of aggression, as between Canadian and American fishermen in the Bay of Fundy, have recently taken place; whether the United States Government 20 has brought the matter to the attention of Her Majesty's Government; and whether steps are now being taken by the Canadian or the Imperial Government to put an end to these disturbing fishery disputes?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. OSBORNE MORGAN) (Denbighshire, E.)I am not surprised at the hon. Member putting the Question, which, perhaps, ought properly to be answered by the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. No representation has been received from the Government of the United States as to any acts of aggression by United States or Canadian fishermen in the Bay of Fundy, nor has any official information been received showing that such acts have taken place. The Fishery Clauses of the Treaty of Washington, having been denounced by the United States Government, lapsed in July, 1885, and a temporary arrangement for continuing their operation for the then current fishing season has now also expired. The United States Senate having rejected the proposal of the Government of that country to appoint an International Commission to consider the best means of settling the question on equitable terms, the rights of Canadian and American fishermen are now remitted to the position in which they were placed by the Convention of 1818. If any dispute should arise as to the exercise of these rights, the House may rest assured that no effort will be spared by Her Majesty's Government to settle them with as little friction as possible.