The Fisheries Commission.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 237, 14 January 1888, Page 4

The Fisheries Commission.

The New York " Pqst," December 13th> describes the fisheries negotiations now going on ab Washington, between the Imperial and Canadian and Uhited States Commissioners, by saying that from the outset Sir Charles Tupper, the Canadian,, has been the leading spirit on the British side of the negotiations. Chamberlain and SackviUVWest, the British Minister, have permitted Canada to take the lead. "Tupper," says the "Post," "took a position to which it was evident that Secretary Bayard and our Commissioner could nofc accede. Canada had one chief point to gain, importation into ! the United States, of Canadian fish duty free. The price which. Canada was willing to pay for this was the unrestricted right of Americau fishermen to enter the ports of Ganada for any purpose connected with fishing or for any other .commercial' purpose, and such a definition of boundary of the Marine League and of the headland theory as would be acceptable' to the United States. Beyond that^ Canada was anxious to enter into more reciprocal trade relations in the form of a reciprocal treaty on the general lines of the old treaty of 1854.'* It is alleged that the terms which the f British Commission .propose involve cessions to the British Government on the ,Pacific coasts, in exchange for privileges desired by American fishermen on the Atlantic'coast. The United States has always' Tield that Behring Sea is ,a mare dausum, or closed sea, and has captured a number of Canadian fishing vessels for trading there. Now, Mr Chamberlain, is said to have proposed that if the United States will allow Behring Sea to be an open sea, and to allow Canadians all rights there," and also pay the indemnity which is due on* the seizure oi abouttwenty of the Canadian' vessels during the last two years, which 'is estimated at $300,000 dollars, then \the^ English and Canadian authorities ,, will' grant all the privileges asked for by ; the American fishermen, on the ' easternf coast. ' t 'l x \ '.'\ l ;