169 



similar to what is described by the author of the article re- 

 ferred to seems to take place on our own coasts. Now, what 

 is being done in America? Chad on the Pacific coast and cod 

 on the Atlantic coasts are being hatched out in places in which 

 the young fish are specially protected from destruction, and 

 in which they are kept till able to look after themselves. 

 Then they are turned out into the ocean. The result is an 

 enormous increase of these fish in the places named, an im- 

 mense supply of chad having become available, and a profitable 

 cod fishery having been established in places where cod have 

 never previously been found within the memory of man. 

 The author also draws attention to the necessity for preserving 

 estuaries of all kinds as natural spawning places, and for pro- 

 tecting the fish in such localities from indiscriminate destruc- 

 tion by nets. It has already been found necessary in some 

 places in this State to place restrictions on net-fishing, and 

 I am convinced that such restrictions should be extended to 

 all places, such as, for instance, the Port River, which may 

 be regarded as natural spawning places, and as suitable for 

 the groAvth and protection of young fish. Necessarily such 

 measures would cause temporary hardship to some fishermen, 

 but that can scarcely be considered a serious objection in view 

 of the serious issues involved. 



It is obvious that one might include in an address such as 

 this subjects of equal if not greater importance than those 

 which I have briefly alluded to, such as, for example, the 

 diseases of stock, and, in fact, the whole range of sanitary 

 science ; but I think I have said enough to indicate the value 

 of scientific enquiry as a means of advancing the material 

 wealth of the country. Its importance, in my opinion, can 

 scarcely be over-estimated. I am not pleading here, be it 

 understood, for the pursuit of science for science sake, though 

 it could be shown by many examples that such a pursuit has 

 led over and over again to results of inestimable value ; I am 

 pleading for scientific investigation which will inevitably yield 

 almost immediately results of great practical value, and the 

 sooner its importance is recognised the better will it be for 

 South Australia. 



