138 FISHERIES OF THE NORTH SEA 



and he is assisted in an advisory capacity 

 by the Fisheries Council, which is composed 

 of sixteen representatives elected by the 

 different districts. All questions relating 

 to the catching, curing, and selling of fish 

 are considered by them more in the spirit 

 of a board of directors than as officials 

 of the Government. They also consider 

 the applications from fishermen for State 

 loans. Another great help they give is 

 by having agents at Hamburg, Hull, and 

 other large buying centres who look after 

 the interests of the exporters, and when 

 disputes occur between seller and buyer 

 these agents are generally able to get a 

 just settlement. 



This Administration also often bears the 

 expense of experiments in new methods, 

 with a view to improving the curing and 

 transportation of fish. Again, in exploring 

 new fishing banks the fishermen can get 

 aid. Another great advantage in estab- 

 lishing the industry on a firm basis is their 

 employment of inspectors, who see that 

 the herrings are packed properly and that 

 the brands are stamped according to the 

 quality and date of curing, thus avoiding 



