26 
it includes among the powers of the Board a right to 
take cognizance of salmon, for the purpose of collecting 
information of a statistical nature. 
The Act, however, gives no power to the new Board to 
make any change in the law bearing on the constitution 
of the Fishery Boards. But in the reports which the Board 
is to make annually to the Home Secretary, suggestions 
may be offered for the regulation and improvement of the 
fisheries—z.e., sea as well as salmon fisheries; and it is 
to be earnestly hoped, that this power will be promptly 
exercised. 
What Scotland wishes and requires for salmon protec- 
tion, is to be put on the same footing as England, where, 
—as Mr. Spencer Walpole says in his Report of 1879 
on the English salmon fisheries, “ Every river in England 
capable of producing salmon, is now under the protection of 
a Board of Conservators.” 
Many of my countrymen think, and I confess I share 
the opinion, that we in Scotland are too far off to be 
heard by the Executive Government. Therefore I am glad 
of the opportunity of opening my lips on this subject at 
the present influential Conference, trusting that what has 
now been spoken by me, however feebly, may reach the 
ears of those who have power to provide a remedy. 
In conclusion, may I express a hope that this Ex- 
hibition will strengthen the appeal which we Scotchmen 
have been making, for the better protection of our fresh- 
water fish, by the evidence it affords of what other nations 
are doing in that respect, especially Canada and the United 
States. Let us not be ashamed to confess past indifference 
on the subject, but take a lesson from others, to enable us 
to fulfil a duty laid on us alike by the gifts of Providence, 
and by a regard to the interests of the country. 
