WAGES AND PROFITS 165 



the coffers of the publicans. Free drinks were plentiful 

 for all comers, and while the money lasted the steam- 

 boat did not return to sea. With such a fine chance 

 many a deep-sea fisherman has paved the way for one 

 of the numerous great concerns which are associated 

 with the days of sail and the ruling age of steam. 



Though the method of paying the deep-sea fisherman 

 for his work is complicated, and depends largely on the 

 particular form of industry and on local custom, yet 

 there is a growing tendency to establish wages on a 

 simple and regular basis. Steam-trawling has become 

 such a carefully organised business that perhaps the 

 day is not far distant when there will be a standard 

 rate of pay for all who are engaged in it, and that the 

 workers will be remunerated by fixed sums, according 

 to the custom of the great manufacturing districts of the 

 north of England. At present, however, the share 

 system enters very largely into the earnings of North 

 Sea fishermen, and the older men certainly favour this 

 plan, to which they have been accustomed all their 

 working lives. In the past there was a far better chance 

 of making money in the lump by fishermen than there 

 is to-day. A crew might have an exceptionally good 

 haul and supply a depleted market, receiving big prices 

 for their fish, and considerable fortunes were built by 

 prudent skippers on the foundation of some such lucky 

 catch. In these days the victory is mostly with the 

 strong the great companies which have been established 

 to work the North Sea trawling-grounds. Some of these 

 concerns, however, fall on disastrous times, while others 

 pay high dividends. It is the luck of trawling. 



The payment of a regular wage is favoured by many 



