6 MADRAS FISHERIES BULLfeTIN VOL. XIV, 



highly, and justly so, by the administration. A working com- 

 promise is arrived at by occasional visits to the fishing grounds, 

 usually in the fishery investigation vessel Michael Sars, aboard of 

 which vessel laboratory facilities are ample. Much of the materia' 

 required for use by the cod and herring experts is supplied to them 

 with much saving of valuable time, by the part-time employment 

 of two travelling assistants who procure samples as required at the 

 different fishing centres. These men, who are non-commissioned 

 army officers, are paid daily wages ; their employment is seasonal 

 and lasts for about six months in each year. The Biological 

 Stations at Bergen and Trondhjem work in close collaboration, and 

 in special enquiries are able and willing to afford the department 

 and its experts invaluable assistance. 



Chemical and bacteriological work is carried on under the 

 charge of another expert ; these enquiries deal primarily with 

 industrial problems, among the principal being those connected 

 with the canning trade, and the fish and whale oil industry, and in 

 analyses for private parties of materials used in fishing" industries. 



The operations of the department are best shown by a study of 

 the budget, and of the way in which this is prepared. The Nor- 

 wegians are so intensely individualistic and independent in 

 character that the Governmental machine must have the full con- 

 fidence of the people if the purse-strings are to be loosened. The 

 bureaucratic methods which have suited Japan in the past would 

 not be tolerated for a week in Norway. The administrative 

 machine must be run in accordance with the wishes of the people 

 and they must have an effective voice in its control and policy. 

 To achieve this, each year after the Director of Fisheries has 

 prepared his budget estimates, the various items become the 

 subject of a conference between him and the Fishery Council 

 {Fiskeriraad). In addition to discussing the budget proposals, the 

 Council debates any other subject affecting fishery interests that 

 may be brought up by the Director or by the members themselves. 

 The nineteen members are representatives elected by the principal 

 fishery societies and other local fishery bodies of each coastal 

 district. Care is taken that this advisory body shall be truly 

 representative of every interest in the industry. The members 

 receive their travelling and out-of-pocket expenses to and from 

 Bergen and during the duration of the conference, which lasts 

 usually for over a week. This Fishery Council is a valuable means 



