§ MR. SAMUELSON (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, it is a fact that last year the French erected, or caused to be erected, for the taking of salmon, a weir in the River of Ponds, on the West Coast of Newfoundland, which barred the said River, and prevented the ascent of salmon to its upper waters; whether such obstruction exceeds the fishing rights possessed by the French by virtue of Treaties; whether the British naval authorities in those waters have power to remove the weir; and, whether the Report of the officer commanding H.M.S. Emerald on the weir at River of Ponds has been taken into consideration by the Government, with a view to prevent the erection of a similar obstruction next summer?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)These matters are at present the subject of correspondence between the Governments, and I would rather be excused from making any statement regarding them. Many questions relating to fishing on the coasts of Newfoundland have been discussed between the Governments of Great Britain and France, and difficulties connected with them have been obviated by mutual forbearance. Delays have, un- 143 doubtedly, occurred in the settlement of pending questions through the disinclination of Newfoundland to adopt the arrangement arrived at in Paris.