INTRODUCTION. 



THIS essay has been written with the object of showing, 

 amongst other things, 



The great differences which exist in the prosecution of 

 the Deep Sea Fisheries, arising either from the nature of 

 the locality or the class of fishing. 



The consequent great difficulty of successfully legislating 

 so as to promote their prosperity under one law for all 

 localities and classes. 



The utter impossibility of such legislation being framed 

 satisfactorily by a Government department unacquainted 

 with these various localities and classes and the industry 

 generally, and not having practical men as its advisers. 



To prove the above it has been found necessary to 

 criticise rather severely in some cases the past and present 

 legislation which has emanated from the Board of Trade 

 through its officers, but it must be clearly borne in mind 

 that such criticism is not intended to be invidious in any 

 way, as there can be no doubt that the department has 

 had, and still has, a very difficult task before it, which it 

 has endeavoured to perform to the best of its power, con- 

 sidering the means at its disposal. 



