Proceedings Forty-seventh Annual Meeting 63 



tion they make to the food supply of the world. This contribution 

 was never more important than at the present time when the 

 people of both our countries here are looking toward this food sup- 

 ply and when we wish to contribute largely to the supply of food 

 for our Allies in Europe. From whatever angle we view the 

 fisheries of North America we cannot fail to be interested. 



We have been taught to believe that our progenitors in this 

 country came here simply in search of liberty and that the early 

 French explorers were actuated by the desire to start a new 

 civilization. However, as I read history, I find that the stories of 

 the great wealth of the fisheries brought out large numbers of the 

 earliest pioneers and that the keen perception of the statesmen of 

 France resulted in a great merchant marine based upon the trade 

 in this branch of commerce. 



The early French governors of Canada were led to insist upon 

 the development of the fisheries, and to encourage them by state 

 assistance and so very few concessions were granted. One of the 

 concessions that were given was granted to no less a person than 

 the great explorer Joliet. 



It was only natural that rivalries should spring up between the 

 fishermen of these new countries that led to some little misunder- 

 standings, but I am proud to say that for more than a hundred 

 years all such questions and disputes have been settled by treaty. 

 May we not hope that before long the work undertaken by Pro- 

 fessor David Starr Jordan, representing the United States, and 

 Professor E. E. Prince, of the Dominion of Canada, will result in 

 putting into effect the best, if not all, the recommendations they 

 have made concerning the international fisheries of our countries." 



The session adjourned for a few minutes to permit the 

 Association of Fish and Game Commissioners to complete certain 

 business, whereupon the Society again resumed work. 



REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TIME AND PLACE 

 OF MEETING. 



Mr. A. L. Millett, chairman, presented the report, stating that 

 the committee had decided unanimously to meet at some point in 

 the State of New York, and the date selected to be sometime in 

 the week of September 11, 1918. 



