: oe 
As in this Paper on behalf of Scotch Salmon Fisheries, the 
appointment of inspectors has been urged, with powers similar to 
those of the inspectors in England and Ireland, it would be wrong 
to conclude without adverting to Mr. Eden’s disapproval of having 
separate inspectors for each division of the United Kingdom. He 
says, at present “there are separate establishments and different 
officials for each of the three kingdoms. But one policy, and one 
set of men to carry it out, would tend largely to efficiency and 
economy.” He adds, that ‘ by consolidation or amalgamation of 
the Fishery offices, uniformity of management would be obtained.” 
(Page 639.) 
If Mr. Eden means that there should be only one set of in- 
spectors for the whole kingdom, with offices in London, it seems 
very doubtful whether either efficiency or economy would be thereby 
secured. Surely inspection would be both more efficient and more 
economical, were the officials for Ireland to reside there, with an 
office in Dublin, and those for Scotland to reside there, with an 
office in Edinburgh, where they would be nearer to their work. 
“ Uniformity of management,” which Mr. Eden deems of im- 
portance, could quite well be secured, by the same instructions 
being issued by Government to each set of inspectors. 
One of the greatest disadvantages to which the Scotch fish- 
eries and Fishery Boards are exposed, is the non-existence of any 
inspector to visit the Fishery districts, and collect materials for 
framing an annual report. A still greater service would be rendered 
were Inspectors appointed with power to visit the districts and 
attend Meetings of the Board, as ex-officio members. 
Now that the utter failure of the Fishery Board system, and the 
non-existence and need of an efficient inspector in Scotland has 
been made publicly known, a heavy responsibility will lie on 
Government if steps are not immediately taken to provide a remedy. 
There ought to be the less hesitation on the part of Government 
to devise some measure for affording protection to the Scotch 
Salmon Fisheries, that, during the last twenty years, owing to the 
assiduity of the officers connected with the Woods and Forests, 
the revenue now drawn for the Crown from these fisheries is very 
considerable, and is every year increasing in amount. The 
[21] F 
