§ MR. SAMUELSON (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the French have the right, under existing treaties, to take and preserve lobsters on the so-called French shore of Newfoundland, and whether the text of the treaties, which speak of "stages made of boards necessary and usual for drying of fish," can cover the erection of factories for tinning lobsters, with boilers and other apparatus; and whether, with reference to the dispatch of Governor Blake, dated St. John's, Newfoundland, 10th July, 1888, setting forth the interference of the French with British subjects carrying on the 1222 lobster fishery at White Bay, it is intended by the Colonial Office in future to support British subjects where they may be engaged in the lobster industry on the portion of the coast where the French possess treaty rights, provided such taking and preserving of lobsters does not interfere in any way with the prosecution of cod fishing (and the catching of bait necessary for the same) by the French?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir J. FERGUSSON,) Manchester, N.W.The French claim this right, but Her Majesty's Government do not admit that it is conferred by the Treaties. Her Majesty's Government will support British Subjects in the Lobster Fishery, provided they do not interfere with French Treaty Rights. The position of British and French Fishery Rights in Newfoundland is not free from difficulties, but those difficulties have hitherto been generally prevented from becoming acute by the prudence of the Governments concerned, and of their officers; and it may be hoped that like success may attend their proceedings in the future.