France and Newfoundland: When the Peace of Utrecht was signed in 17I3, England, with a careless good- nature which no other civilised Power has ever been known to display, conceded to France certain fishery privileges which she claimed on the coast of Newfoundland. With still more reprehensible good nature, the rights thus acquired have been suffered to continue, although the numerous wars in which the two countries have since been engaged have afforded excellent opportunities of getting rid of them. The consequence is that for nearly two centuries the French privileges have been a thorn in the flesh of the colonists. Having got an inch, the French proceeded to take an ell wherever they saw a chance of doing so, and although, according to the terms of the Treaty, they were strictly confined to the occupation of a particular strip of coast, and to the erection of such buildings as were necessary for the curing of fish, they have by degrees erected what is practically a French colony on British soil, and have interfered in various high-handed ways with the fishing operations of the Newfoundlanders, whose main source of livelihood arises from the capture and sale of fish. Recently, matters have assumed an acute stage, because of the development of a new industry which was non-existent at the date of the Treaty of Utrecht. Then, the value of Newfoundland lay in its cod-fisheries, but now lobster-tinning has become an important feature. The French claim the right to procure bait for the purpose of catching lobsters, and also of erecting weirs in lakes, and at the mouths of rivers, for prosecuting this enterprise. Mr. Justice Pinsent, of Newfoundland, denies that the Treaty gives them these rights; M. Spuller says it does; and the question will probably be warmly discussed between the Governments of the two countries. Now, as our statesmen rarely act with boldness when confronted with a big Power, we venture to warn them that it may be dangerous to say, “Is it worth while risking a war with France for the sake of a few lobsters?” If they argue thus, the Newfoundlanders may reply, “Very well, if you won’t protect us, we will transfer our allegiance to the United States, who will make short work of the French and their claims.” Thus we should lose our oldest colony; perhaps some bigger ones would follow suit. There has been a good deal of vague talk about imperial federation; let our Ministers show that they really believe in it by manfully supporting our colonists against foreign aggression.
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0747 Hennock: Robert John Pinsent: 1834 – 1893