Newfoundland Fisheries Bill
NEWFOUNDLAND FISHERIES BILL.] On the order of the day for going into a committee on this bill, Mr. Hyde Villiers said, he hoped the situation of this colony would invite the attentive consideration of parliament next year. he was unwilling to press the subject, under the peculiar circumstances of the present session. The inhabitants of Newfoundland were principally Irish, or descended from Irish ancestors; and he knew that, so great was the interest which they took in the welfare of Ireland, they would bear the disappointment of the consideration of their own claims being omitted this session, when they were assured that the cause of that omission was, that the attention of the legislature had been taken up with restoring religious peace to Ireland. He did not believe, however,that they would with equal contentment see their claims much longer postponed, and he therefore hoped that, next session the attention of parliament would be turned to the consideration, with a view to the improvement of the colony of Newfoundland. Sir. G. Murray said, he could not perceive the immediate connexion [connection?] between the Catholic question and the colony of Newfoundland. he was not aware that the Catholic question had offered any impediment to the consideration of any matters connected with the colony of Newfoundland; but the truth was, that from the communication which he had had with the chief justice of that colony, and from other information which he derived from it, things were not in a state to admit of any immediate change. He could assure the hon. member, that he should be happy to receive any communication from him, or from any other member, with a view to the benefit of the colony of Newfoundland, and would give whatever aid lay in his power to the carrying into effect any suggestion that might be offered for the advantage of that colony. if he obtained the necessary information, he should be most happy in the next session, to enter into the consideration of the subject. Mr. Robinson said, he should not feel it his duty to bring forward the amendment, of which he had given notice last night, if he could obtain a pledge from the right hon. gentleman that the government would introduce next session a legislative measure in reference to this colony. But the right hon. gentleman now said, that they had not sufficient information on the subject to enable them to legislate; and he was not bound to believe that they would have such information next year, or the year after, more than at present. The bills in question had now been in operation for five years, and it was strange if, during that period the public functionaries in that colony had not derived from sufficient information as to the operation of them, to enable government to legislate on the subject. A strong impression prevailed amongst the inhabitants of Newfoundland, that parliament would legislate on the subject this session. A public meeting took place there in the course of last year, the various clauses of these acts were discussed, a statement of the abuses growing out of the operation of these acts was drawn up, and that statement, with suggestions as to the alterations which were required, was brought over, for the information of government, by individuals of high character and station in the colony. He did not want the right hon. gentleman to legislate in haste, but surely he could not object to give a pledge now from which the inhabitants of Newfoundland might have reason to expect, that all legislation on this subject would not be postponed, until these bills should expire: - namely, in the year 1832? Surely the right hon. gentleman would not object to the appointment of a committee next session for the purpose of receiving whatever information the public functionaries and the inhabitants of the colony could lay before them, in order to furnish grounds upon which parliament could adopt a system of legislation in reference to that island. The truth was, that up to the present time the interests of the inhabitants of Newfoundland had given way to the interests of private individuals in this country. He was aware that the House would be unwilling to pledge itself on the subject, but if the right hon. gentleman would say, that he would agree to the appointment of the committee next session, the public functionaries of the island might then be enabled to furnish him with the information he wanted; and he would undertake on the part of the inhabitants, that they would furnish the committee with a body of evidence on the subject. If he should get that pledge, he would not bring forward his amendment. Sir G. Murray repeated, that the chief justice of Newfoundland had stated to him, that he could not at present furnish him with sufficient information. Whenever he obtained the necessary information, he should be prepared to legislate for the colony. The House then went into committee. On the clause limiting the operation of these acts to the year 1832 being put. Mr. Robinson moved as an amendment, that the word "two" be left out of the resolution. Mr. Hume thought the right hon. Secretary should agree to the proposition. He did not see what objection he could have to the appointment of a committee to inquire into the operation of these acts. Sir George Murray said, he should be ready to legislate, without reference to the interests of one party or another, but for the good of the whole colony, whenever he should obtain sufficient information on the subject to enable him to do so. But surely hon. members would not call upon the House, to enter into a specific pledge on the subject, in the absence of the necessary information? That information he should, in all probability, very shortly receive. The committee divided on the amendment; but as there were only thirty-seven members present, an adjournment, of course, took place.Close