A—s

The invitation was most cordially received by the Government of Newfoundland. Negotiations were opened by His Majesty's Government with the Government of the United States of America, and on the 15th of February, 1888, what is known as the Chamberlain-Bayard Treaty was signed at Washington. This Treaty provided for free fishing in exchange for the free admission of fish and fish products, the result of British catch, into the markets of the United States of America. This Treaty was approved and signed by the United States Government, but was rejected by the United States Senate, and the fishery privileges of the United States consequently reverted to those embodied in the Treaty of 1818. In this same year, 1888, the Bait Act referred to in the despatch of Sir G. W. Dcs Vceux, extracts from which I have quoted, was brought into force with the assent of the Crown, and under the provisions of the same, foreign fishing vessels were excluded from the inshore bait fisheries, except under license, and notices were issued to the United States Government from the Department of the Colonial Secretary of the Colony calling attention to the provisions of the said Act. By virtue of the authority vested thereunder in the Governor-in-Council, a tax of $1.50 per net ton was imposed upon all American fishing vessels visiting the coast in quest of bait fishes. Our relations with the United States continued in this form until the year 1890, when, by a despatch, bearing date 28th February, 1890, from Sir Terence O'Brien, Governor of the Colony, to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the question of a direct and independent trade arrangement between Newfoundland and the United States of America was revived. This negotiation resulted in my being authorised to proceed to Washington to assist in bringing about such an arrangement. The result of my visit to Washington was what is known as the Bond-Blame Convention of 1890, which was virtually upon the same lines as the Chamberlain-Bayard Treaty of 1888. This Convention was approved by the United States Government, but was not ratified by His Majesty's Government In view of the fact that the United States Government had signified its willingness to exchange a free market with us for bait privileges, and that our Convention was not held in abeyance by reason of any action or want of action on its part, the Government of Newfoundland extended to United States fishermen, for a period of 12 years, all the privileges that it was contemplated should be granted under the Convention of 1890. Mr. DEAKIN : You say the Convention was approved by the United States Government, but did that include the United States Legislature? Sir ROBERT BOND : No; it did not come before the United States Legislature. It was signed by Mr. Blame on behalf of his Government. Tt was then sent over to this country for His Majesty's approval, and a protest was entered against its ratification by the Dominion Government, and His Majesty's Government held it in abeyance for 12 years. Sir WILFRID LAURIER: Is it not a fact that the Treaty was submitted by the American Government to the Senate, and they refused to ratify it ? Sir ROBERT BOND : No, the 1890 Treaty never went before the Senate at all, but the 1902 Treaty did. lam coming to that now. During 12 years from 1890 to 1902, the Government of Newfoundland persistenly urged His Majesty's Government to fulfil its undertaking as regards the United States Convention, but without avail.

Fifteenth Day. II May 1907.

Newfoundland Fishery. (Sir R. Bond.)

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