1912 AND FISHERIES COMMISSION. 193 



prepared and improved, to the increase of the public wealth and to the 

 ultimate benefit of posteritj^, at the cost to the settler and his family of 

 an existence below the general standard of comfort and prosperity of the 

 community. It would seem unreasonable, therefore, to begrudge some 

 little advantage to these pioneers over the rest of the community in the 

 matter of game privileges. On the other hand game is undoubtedly a 

 public asset, which, after its primary function has in large measure dis- 

 appeared, none the less continues to be of equal, if not increasing, value 

 in its general effect on the moral and material welfare of the population, 

 and it is evident that as the game areas and game diminish before the 

 advance of civilization, those living on the land under conditions of aver- 

 age comfort, or with reasonable facilities to do so if they choose at their 

 disposal, can no longer expect to be privileged above the general com- 

 munity in the matter of game, but must rest content to submit to the 

 regulations and restrictions which are imposed on the public in the in- 

 terests of the common weal. The game constitutes a public asset, and 

 the fact that a man lives in the country instead of in a town cannot 

 alone be held sufficient cause to warrant any exceptional claim or privi- 

 lege on his behalf on the game in the vicinity. If, therefore, it may be 

 deemed advisable to privilege a few under exceptional circumstances and 

 for exceptional services rendered, this can in no sense be held to justify 

 the extension of the privilege to those not so circumstanced. These 

 matters have long been wfthin the knowledge and consideration of the 

 administrations of this Province, and serious efforts have been made to 

 solve the problem in a manner which would be both equitable and ad- 

 vantageous. Unfortunately, however, the solution appears not as yet to 

 have been found. 



At the present time a resident of the Province is required to take 

 out a license to hunt deer, moose or caribou, the cost of a deer license 

 being |2:00, and that for moose or caribou |5.00. Under the former 

 license but one deer may be killed, and under the latter but one bull 

 moose or one bull caribou. In proportion, therefore, to the amount of 

 flesli on these animals and the value of their hides and heads, it will be 

 seen that the charges are by no means excessive. In the case, however, 

 of the settler living in unorganized districts, the license fee in regard to 

 deer is relaxed, and he is given the privilege of taking one deer for home 

 consumption free of all charge. In 1907 this privilege was extended to 

 settlers in certain of the organized but wild regions, but was cancelled 

 during tlie course of the year 1910. The right of the settler in the unor- 

 ganized districts to take one deer is not held to cover either moose or 

 caribou, nor is it legal for him to take the deer except in the legal open 

 season. 



In regard to the system of distinguishing between organized and un- 

 organized districts, it may be observed that in very many instances con- 

 ditions of life in the former are equally, if not more, severe than in the 

 latter and, consequently, that residents in such areas have some grounds 



