116 



"However, it must be observed that in Scotland there are the 

 public officers of the Fishery Commissioners stationed around 

 the coast, through whom the distribution is made ; but in Ireland 

 there is now no such machinery, and without its aid the adminis- 

 tration of the fund would not be easy. The policy, moreover, of 

 these grants is very questionable. If given for repairing fishing 

 boats, they may be as justly sought for all other implements of 

 industry ; and fishermen requiring materials for nets or lines, have 

 stronger claims to aid, than those with damaged boats, who are 

 not so poor. This mode of relieving the Irish fishermen is not 

 only objectionable, but so inadequate to their wants, that the 

 Commissioners will not avail themselves of the example set in 

 Scotland, to support a recommendation for its revival in Ireland. 

 They consider the operation of Loan Funds as a better means 

 of assisting the fisherman's individual necessities ; and they look 

 forward to their establishment for the purpose." 



GRANTS FOR LOCAL INSTRUCTION, AND PREMIUMS TO FISHER- 

 MEN. "Among the means suggested for extending the fisheries, 

 are premiums for good boats, and nets, and for the most scientific 

 and successful modes of fishing. If such aids be calculated 

 merely to stimulate the fisherman in the improvement of his art, 

 and not made to draw supernumeraries into the business, they 

 may be safe. The danger lies in the possibility of over-doing 

 the proposed end; and to avoid that, if the attempt be made, it 

 should rigidly be confined to local agents voluntarily interesting 

 themselves in the undertaking. It cannot, however, be concealed, 

 that in Ireland such a voluntary effort, unassisted by the public 

 purse, is not always to be expected ; and it is a question worthy 

 of consideration, whether any, or what encouragement should 

 be held out to associators for fishery improvement, who may be 

 inclined to watch particular localities, and apply such stimuli to 

 industry and order, as may from time to time appear requisite." 



The Commissioners, not being unanimous as to the policy of 

 recommending such assistance, merely placed the proposition in 

 their report, specifying the objects to which it was proposed the 

 grant should be applied, should that division of the subject be 

 entertained. 



LOANS TO FISHERMEN. The Commissioners were favourable 

 to the granting loans to fishermen in aid of building and repair- 

 ing boats, and providing nets and other gear, under that system 

 on which its success entirely depends. They merely refer to 

 the practice hitherto in this respect, which appears to have acted 

 imperfectly from defective regulation. "The system of Loan 

 Funds for the relief of struggling industry has been tried in 

 several parts of Ireland, and is , believed to have operated 

 favourably; as well on the morals as on the physical condition 

 of the poor. But the value of a Loan Fund entirely depends on 



