Newfoundland House of Assembly Debates
April 22 and 26, 1904
House of Assembly Debate, April 22, 19041
Rt. Hon. the Premier2 - The leader of the opposition had asked some time ago if it was the intention of the government to introduce any legislation with regard to the French Shore convention, and he now desired to say that it was not the intention of the government to do so, as it was now only necessary to introduce legislation for the carrying out of the terms of the treaty, and if that was necessary, another session would be called, but it would not be done now.
Mr. Morine3 - Wished to ask the Premier, now, informally, if the correspondence re the treaty tabled by him on Thursday was all the correspondence relating thereto, or was there some omitted.
Rt. Hon. the Premier - The correspondence relating thereto extended over years, but all that was necessary had been tabled.
House of Assembly Debate, April 26, 19044
The Premier intimated that the House would probably close on Thursday next [April 28].
Mr.Morine asked if it was the intention of the Government to deal with the new Anglo-French treaty, by resolution or otherwise, before the close of the present session.
The Premier said he did not propose to move any resolutions with reference to the treaty. If it was found that legislation was required, dealing with the regulations for the carrying out of the treaty obligations, a special session would be convened for that purpose.
Mr. Morine asked if the correspondence as published contained the whole of the correspondence that had recently passed between His Excellency the Governor and the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
The Premier replied that the whole of the correspondence had been published.
Mr. Morine said the despatch from the Governor dated April 15th seemed singularly incomplete. It begins: "If the rights of the people of this colony to its fisheries throughout the year is not preserved, they cannot approve the arrangement." To whom does the word "they" refer - the people or the Government?
The Premier: The Government.
Mr. Morine: Then the first part of the despatch is omitted?
The Premier said there was nothing further that could be published.
Mr. Morine gave notice that he would at the next sitting move the House into committee of the whole to consider certain resolutions dealing with the treaty recently concluded between His Britannic Majesty and the President of the French Republic.
1. Taken from The Evening Telegram, May 31, 1904.
Back
2. Robert Bond (1857-1927). Premier of Newfoundland, 1900-1909.
Back
3. Alfred B. Morine (1857-1944). Journalist and lawyer. Leader of the Opposition.
Back
4. Taken from The Daily News, April 27, 1904. This exchange was not reported in The Evening Telegram.
Back
