HC Deb 24 March 1890 vol 342 cc1678-9
MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that great discontent exists in Newfoundland about the settlement of the Fishery Question between the Government and France; and whether any protests against this settlement have been received from Newfoundland by the Government?

* THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir J. FEEGUSSON,) Manchester, N.E.

Her Majesty's Government have learned by telegraph that the two Houses of the Newfoundland Legislature have passed a Resolution protesting against the modus vivendi agreed upon between Her Majesty's Government and that of France for the regulation of the lobster fisheries during the ensuing season. Only a telegraphic report of this arrangement has as yet reached the colony, and it appears to have been imperfectly understood.

MR. W. REDMOND

Was the Government of Newfoundland consulted by Her Majesty's Government in regard to the arrangement come to?

* SIR J. FERGDSSON

Yes, Sir; I stated so the other night; and, so far as the principle of a modus vivendi is concerned, there was no disapproval.

DR. TANNER

Will adequate protection be afforded to the officers of the fisheries of Newfoundland?

* SIR J. FERGUSSON

I stated the other night that there would be a continuation of the status quo until a more permanent arrangement has been made; that is to say that all the existing factories, whether French or English, will be protected.