8 THE EEPOKT UPON No. 14 



I cannot close without reference to the loss of one of the staff in the person 

 of Mr. W. S. Masson, a competent and efficient employee who fulfilled his highest 

 duty by offering his services and life to his country in 1915 and who, I 'regret to 

 say, paidvthe supreme sacrifice in the fall of 1918 on the battlefields of France. 



The statistics mentioned in the report will be found in detail in statements 

 published elsewhere herein. 



All of which is respectfully submitted. I am ' 



Your obedient servant, 



D. McDonald, 



Deputy Minister of Game and Fisheries. 



Department of Game and Fisheries, Sales Branch, Toronto. 



Toronto^ February 19, 1919. 

 D. McDonald, Esq., 



Deputy Minister of Game and Fislieries, Buildings. 



Dear Sir. — I beg to submit herewith report of the Sales Biar.ch, Department 

 of Game and Fisheries, for the year ending October 31st, 1918. 



The unusual economic conditions resulting from the European War, which 

 had created a world shortage of food, required prompt action upon the part of 

 Governments. The demand made upon the food producing parts of the Empire 

 for conservation and substitution quickly reached the Province of Ontario. Beef 

 and bacon were required in increasing quantities by our brave soldiers ; .substitutes 

 should be provided for the people at home. 



Appreciating the position, and with characteristic promptness, the Govern- 

 ment of the Province of Ontario launched a policy which had for its object the 

 securing of fish from the waters of the Province, and placing same at fixed prices 

 on the tables of the consumers. This plan embraced production, distribution, and 

 Government control. In order that existing trade should not be greatly interfered 

 with, and that increased production might be secured, several inland lakes, some 

 of them being virgin waters, some having had fishing restrictions for a number 

 of years, were fished under contract. Lakes Nipigon and Nipissing being the largest 

 of these; the Government distributing the entire catch from these Lakes. 



The first fish secured by the Government under this policy were distributed 

 September, 1917, and a wonderful demand was at once assured, the demand being 

 so great that it became apparent that a portion of the catch of the licensed fisher- 

 men was required to meet it. An authority stated in the year of 1911 that 95 per 

 cent, of all fresh water fish procured in the Province had been exported to our 

 neighbours to the south. It appeared reasonable to the Government that only a 

 portion of the catch of the licensed fishermen should be retained for distribution 

 in the Province. To this end a clause was placed in the license of each fisherman 

 operating for 1918, requiring them to deliver to the Sales Branch any amount 

 which might be demanded, such amount not to exceed 20 per cent, of the total 

 catch. The fishermen were thus free to sell 80 per cent, of their catch in the best 

 market obtainable. 



