284 THE SEALSKIN INDUSTRY. 



Spe(mlating onvaluG of tllG prOcluCG of tllG CORSt flsllGiy, Her 

 Rinnll supply of ^ 



ekius. Majesty's Government do not anticipate that 



British sealers will suffer to any great extent by 

 exclusion from Bering Sea."^ This statement 

 also met with the views of Lord Salisbury.^ 

 The cessation of sealing and the decrease of the 

 seal herd would bring about the same result, an 

 increase in the price of sealskins. It is more 

 profitable, therefore, for those interested in the 

 sealing venture to have prices raised even if the 

 seal herd is depleted, for they will thereby 

 derive larger returns from the investment. Very 

 few of the owners or part owners of the Victoria 

 sealing fleet are dependent npon pelagic sealing 

 for a livelihood, so that it is not particularly to 

 tlieir interest to })reserve the herd, their principal 

 object being to get large profits, whatever may 

 be the result. 

 occnpaiions of Cousul Mvcrs, in a report to the State Depart- 



vessel owners. j ' i j. 



ment, gives the occupation of seventy-one own- 

 ers or part owners of sealing vessels hailing from 

 the port of Victoria. Of these only fourteen may 

 be said to be dependent on sealing, and twelve 

 others who are employed in maritime enterprises. 

 The remainder are composed of individuals en- 

 gaged in various pursuits. Among the list may 



1 British Blue Book, IT. S .No. 3 (1892), C-6G35, p. 29. 

 2ii;if?., No. 30, p. 16. 



