§ MR. EVELYN CECIL (Aston Manor)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the recent changes which the Canadian Government have made in the regulations affecting British and foreign shipping in Canadian coasting waters; what foreign nations who now engage in Canadian coasting trade are affected by these changes; whether the Law Officers of the Crown have been consulted as to the bearing of foreign treaties upon freedom of action by Canada as regards coasting trade generally; and, if so, what action, if any, has been take upon their opinion.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThe Canadian Government has issued an Order in Council to take effect from 1st January next, repealing certain Orders in Council under which the vessels of Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Austro-Hungary, Denmark, Belgium and the Argentine Republic have been allowed to participate in the coasting trade of the Dominion. That coasting trade will, therefore, after the date in question be confined to British ships. The hon. Member will see from the statement at pages 492–493 of the Papers laid before the Colonial Conference (Cd. 3524) that there are no treaties which entitle any foreign country to participate in the coating trade of the Dominion. It has not, therefore, been thought necessary to consult the Law Officers in the matter.