174 THE RELATIONS OF THE STATE WITH 



the Crown, having reserved to itself several valuable 

 fisheries, had been able to raise money by issuing licences 

 to work them. In England, however, the Great Charter 

 had secured to the public the free enjoyment of the public 

 fisheries in the sea and on the sea coast, and the State, far 

 from attempting to restrict public rights, gave the most 

 direct encouragement to the prosecution of the fisheries, 

 relieving their produce from tolls and dues, opening the 

 ports freely to fishing vessels, and even going so far 

 (as in I Jas. I. c. 23), as to exempt fishermen and those 

 engaged in the fisheries from liability to an action for 

 trespass if they invaded private property in pursuit of their 

 calling.* 



But in adopting the policy of encouraging the fisheries 

 the State was influenced by the hope of receiving an 

 indirect return in the development of trade, and in the 

 education of a race of hardy and experienced seamen, 

 upon whom, in time of need, it could draw for the manning 

 of its fleets. In pursuance of this policy it was led, by 

 Growth of regular steps, from the mere interdiction of the import of 



"bounty" 



system. fish by foreigners, and the imposition of double duties on 



them, to the prohibition of the purchase of fish from 

 foreigners, even if brought home in English vessels, to the 

 formation and endowment of companies for the prosecution 

 of the fisheries, and, lastly, to the granting of bounties to 

 persons exporting one kind of fish or importing another. 

 But the success which attended the various enactments 



* In the pilchard fishery it is customary for look-out men to be 

 stationed on the cliffs to watch for the shoals of fish and to direct the 

 movements of the fishing boats. These men are known as condors, 

 huors, directors, or guidors, and by i Jas. I. c. 23 they were specially 

 exempt from liability to civil action if, while engaged in this duty, 

 they traversed private property, although they might be at a consider- 

 able distance from the actual scene of fishing operations. 



