452 INTERNATIONAL LAWS FOR THE 



infancy, and the guarantee of the Government was of great 

 assistance ; but now that the trade has gained such a strong 

 footing it is questionable whether its retention is desirable. 



There are six different authorised brands : 



The first is for large full herrings, and the brand is 



Crown P Full." 



The second is for herrings of rich quality, with minute 

 roes or milts, and are knowns as matties, or maidens ; the 

 brand is " Crown P Matties." 



The third is for spent or shotten herrings, and the brand 

 is " Crown P Spent." 



The fourth is for mixed herrings ; the brand is " Crown 

 P Mixed." 



The fifth is for repacked, and is known as " Crown PP 

 Repacked." 



The sixth is for herrings previously branded with a bung- 

 packed brand, and which have been repacked. It is known 

 as the " Lozenge Brand." 



The return of the Board as regards the increased use of 

 the brand shows that for the five years, ending 1880, the 

 average increase upon the branding is 59 per cent., and the 

 increase upon the fishing 41 per cent. 



This at first sight tells very favourably for the retention 

 of the brand, but because the demand for it is great by a 

 section of the trade, it by no means proves that from a 

 national and commercial point of view it is desirable to 

 retain it, even though it be self-supporting from a pecuniary 

 point of view. 



To many individuals the branding system has been the 

 cause of their success in life, for a cooper now, after working 

 for a master for a few years, can start buying and curing 

 on his own account with a very nominal capital, as no 

 sooner has he cured and got his fish branded than he can 



