182 THE RELATIONS OF THE STATE WITH 



longer guaranteed by a Government mark in the Continental 

 markets. Its retention, however, has been condemned on 

 the highest authority ; and in 1859, as a compromise, it 

 was arranged that a small fee should be paid by those who 

 desired to avail themselves of any advantages which the 

 brand conferred on fish so marked, but that its use should 

 not be compulsory. This arrangement has- resulted in a 

 considerable income more than sufficient to defray the 

 cost of the establishment required to carry out the system 

 properly, and, although the custom can hardly be supported 

 on any general principles of political economy, it exists 

 on sufferance in consequence of the strong expression of 

 opinion, on the part of the majority of the trade, repeatedly 

 given in its favour. It would be difficult, if not impossible, 

 to induce Parliament to extend to any other trade, or even 

 to any other branch of the fishing trade, the system of a 

 Government guarantee of quality. But it is urged that the 

 maintenance of the brand is no expense, but rather a source 

 of income, to the State ; that its retention has hitherto been 

 highly valued by those most deeply interested in the sub- 

 ject ; that it has not been proved to have been accompanied 

 by any serious drawbacks ; and that the revenue which the 

 fees afford may be advantageously applied to the mainte- 

 nance or construction of harbours, to the extension of the 

 telegraph system, to scientific investigation of matters con- 

 nected with the fisheries, and to other works which may be 

 generally beneficial to the industry. These arguments 

 have hitherto prevailed ; and, so recently as 1881, a Select 

 Committee of the House of Commons reported in favour of 

 the retention of the brand. The recent reorganisation of 

 the Scotch Herring Fishery Board seems to promise a new 

 lease of life to this remnant of an exploded policy, for its 

 principal duty for many years past has been the supervision 



