( 94 ) 



begun, and the people demand conservative and not further 

 destructive measures. Both the public and the fishermen 

 complain and call for legislation for the purpose of re- 

 stocking the waters, which they have been at such pains to 

 depopulate. 



Suggestions as to what Legal Action siiould be taken. 



XCV. Having now brought forward the various 

 Reasons for legal action being reasons that have been adduced for 

 takcu - leaving the fresh-water fisheries alone, 



and permitting the present mode of working them to con- 

 tinue, on the general principle enunciated by one official 

 (p. xlvi) that perhaps the next generation will be riper for 

 protective legislation, it becomes requisite to examine the 

 opinions of those who consider action is now necessary. The 

 Secretary of State observed (p. lxviii) that the conservancy 

 and control of the fisheries, and the measures suggested for 

 the improvement of pisciculture throughout India, constitute 

 subjects which certainly deserve attention. The Governor- 

 General in Council (p. lxxii) remarked, — Is the present plan 

 of non-interference likely to ensure to future generatioDS the 

 fullest possible supply of this food staple ? Is it even such as 

 to ensure their inheriting a supply equal to that which now 

 exists ? The Governor- General in Council apprehends that 

 both these questions must be answered in the negative : and 

 that not only is thero no prospect, as matters now stand, of an 

 increased supply hereafter, but that, owing to the absence of 

 precautionary measures and reasonable restrictions, the exist- 

 ing supply is diminishing. His Excellency in Council be- 

 lieves, on the other hand, that it would be possible, by the 

 adoption of such measures and restrictions, to increase the 

 supply very largely in a few years. If this is so, it would 

 clearly be the duty of the State to take the necessary mea- 

 sures. In Canara, the Acting Collector (p. lv) considers, — By 

 the principles of the Jus gentium, large rivers belong to all 

 the people of the country : in other words, are the property of 

 Government which represents all the people of the 

 country, so far as such rights are concerned. Where 

 the fund of wealth is unlimited, it is better to leave 

 the right of using it unlimited : but where this is not 

 the case (and it is presumed all will admit it is 

 not the case with river or tank fisheries), some restricting 

 regulations arc necessary. If the above statement be correct, 

 the sooner the Legislature takes the fisheries of this district 



