REPORT OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION 



(3) To lay the foundation for a possible future commercial meat industry. 

 From the evidence, as also from certain memoranda submitted with this report, 

 it will be seen that such industries have already been established in Norway and 

 in Alaska. 



Your commissioners understand that the Hudson's Bay Reindeer Company 

 is now inaugurating a commercial herd on the concession on Baffin island, 

 granted a year ago to Mr. Vilhjalmar Stefansson. In view, however, of the 

 enormous areas available, there is no reason why many similar enterprises 

 should not be established in Northern Canada. 



Further, should this scheme prove abortive or for any reason fail to succeed, 

 much valuable time would be sacrificed, whereas the development by the Govern- 

 ment itself, of several small experimental herds, in different carefully selected 

 localities, would largely remove the elements of doubt and uncertainty, and so 

 tend to encourage private enterprise and investment. 



As a matter of fact, there is no limit to the possible extension of the industry, 

 if gone about properly and on sound lines. There are, however, certain lessons 

 to be learned from the experience of other countries. 



Even in Norway, the home of the reindeer, there is, if we may judge from 

 the evidence of Mr. Storker Storkerson, room for considerable improvement, 

 at least in the matter of winter feeding. 



■■ -^ - ft 



1^ -tf 









Original C'Trenfell Herd -Imported troin Norwuy. 



ioHilesy of Ui en/ell Ass. 



In Alaska, as has already been pointed out, over-confidence and neglect of 

 the first principles of animal husbandry, have produced a crop of parasitic and 

 other troubles, which it will be our duty to avoid. 



Dr. Grenfell's experience in Newfoundland with its discouraging sequel at 

 Lobster bay, as also the ill-starred attempt to locate a herd of reindeer at Fort 

 Smith, all point to the necessity for the employment of caution, care and fore- 

 sight, as well as sound practical knowledge in anv action which may be taken. 

 (See Appendices No. V, No. VI, and No. VII.) 



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