172 



it includes among the powers of the Board a right to 

 take cognizance of salmon, for the purpose of collecting 

 information of a statistical nature. 



The Act, however, gives no power to the new Board to 

 make any change in the law bearing on the constitution 

 of the Fishery Boards. But in the reports which the Board 

 is to make annually to the Home Secretary, suggestions 

 may be offered for the regulation and improvement of the 

 fisheries i.e., sea as well as salmon fisheries ; and it is 

 to be earnestly hoped, that this power will be promptly 

 exercised. 



What Scotland wishes and requires for salmon protec- 

 tion, is to be put on the same footing as England, where, 

 as Mr. Spencer Walpole says in his Report of 1879 

 on the English salmon fisheries, " Every river in England 

 capable of producing salmon, is now under the protection of 

 a Board of Conservators" 



Many of my countrymen think, and I confess I share 

 the opinion, that we in Scotland are too far off to be 

 heard by the Executive Government Therefore I am glad 

 of the opportunity of opening my lips on this subject at 

 the present influential Conference, trusting that what has 

 now been spoken by me, however feebly, may reach the 

 ears of those who have power to provide a remedy. 



In conclusion, may I express a hope that this Ex- 

 hibition will strengthen the appeal which we Scotchmen 

 have been making, for the better protection of our fresh- 

 water fish, by the evidence it affords of what other nations 

 are doing in that respect, especially Canada and the United 

 States. Let us not be ashamed to confess past indifference 

 on the subject, but take a lesson from others, to enable us 

 to fulfil a duty laid on us alike by the gifts of Providence, 

 and by a regard to the interests of the country. 



