62 FISHERIES OF THE NORTH SEA 



and every nation has a right to its use. 

 This question must receive increased 

 attention when the world cultivates the sea 

 for its food : its inexhaustible treasures 

 should be open to every one, and inter- 

 national law should be supreme in the 

 fisheries. Every nation must co-operate 

 in protecting its fertility, or the sea's 

 production will be damaged ; and here is 

 another reason why tariff and trade wars 

 should cease. 



It is remarkable that this huge reservoir 

 of food should be almost ignored by the 

 State, and only receive an academic in- 

 terest from the general public. Britain 

 lies in the centre of the world's richest 

 fishing grounds, and its numerous harbours 

 make admirable centres for carrying on the 

 industry with every advantage. Its plenti- 

 ful supply of 'coal reduces the expense of 

 fishing ; a network of railways enables 

 the workers to supply the commodity to the 

 dense centres of population in a few hours ; 

 the temperate climate in which we live 

 lengthens the period during which fish can 

 be kept in fresh condition. These are all 

 advantages which no other nation possesses 



