^5 



developments, aiming, however, always at simplicity 

 and ag-ain simplicity. 



By enlisting public and private co-operation it is 

 sought not merely to lighten the burden of experimenting 

 and to diffuse results but so to stimulate practical public 

 interest that the station may be the active agent in 

 forming a general Fishery Society such as that described 

 in paragraphs 14 to 18 of my Japanese note ; there must 

 be some visible action and results, some point d appui 

 on which to base a society for practical work in the 

 present condition of public opinion on such a matter as 

 the catching, curing, and eating of fish in which the 

 most progressive intellects and intelligence of the 

 country are, of course, uninterested. I consider it better 

 to attempt the formation of societies and associations 

 after the achievement of sume practical success rather 

 than to start a mere academic debating society. The 

 same argument applies in still stronger fashion, to the 

 foundation of the still more practical business societies 

 and Chambers described in paragraphs 104 to 122 of my 

 Japanese note. The station will be made not merely a 

 place of experiment but a centre for the instruction and 

 stimulation of public and private enterprise. 



4. In paragraphs 5 to 45 I proceed, under this head, 

 to indicate the probable lines of immediate policy and of 

 immediate practical action, especially at the experimental 

 station, by showing — 



(i) that steam, especially steam trawlers, are a 

 very recent Western development, necessitated or made 

 possible by the conditions of the Western fish trade such 

 as the depletion of the home waters leading to distant 

 voyages in rough and wintry seas, a strong effective 

 demand, high prices, an elaborate organization, a 

 wealthy distributing trade, rapid communications on 

 land, cheap coal and ice, etc. ; 



(2) that even in the West the sailer holds its otvn 

 where fishing grounds are comparatively near at hand, 

 and coal comparatively dear ; 



(3) that in Madras Presidency waters the condi- 

 tions demanding or permitting steam for actual catching- 

 do not in general exist, and that sailers will fill the need ; 

 steam or power boats in catching are only needed for 

 special purposes such as the supply of high-priced goods 

 and, possibly, fish for canning ; 



