COUNCIL - SEPTEMBER 1912 — 42 — 



we have had him among us as representative for Great Britain and as chairman 

 of our Council and Central Bureau. 



When Mr. Runciman announced to the English Parliament the resignation 

 of Mr. Archer as Secretary to the Board of Fisheries he said that Mr. Archer 

 had fulfilled his duties with true enthusiasm. I think that our experience of Mr. 

 Archer is the same ; whatever he considered to be his duty he fulfilled with uns- 

 werving resolution without any compromise, realizing in words and deed the ideal 

 of the ancient Romans: "vir ten ax propositi" which is also the ideal of the 

 Anglo-Saxon race. 



It would seem that a man of this mould must be predestined to success as 

 a leader. I have heard Mr. Archer regret that he has not been able to attain 

 his aims to the extent he could have wished, but I can assure Mr. Archer that 

 his colleagues look upon the work of the past years in a brighter light and are 

 not forgetful of his services. We all know how deeply interested Mr. Archer has 

 been in the protection of the North Sea against overfishing and how much he 

 has contributed to the solution of the intricate plaice-question by means of the 

 great statistic material he put at our disposal. It must be a satisfaction for him 

 to know that this subject now has advanced so far that it soon can be submitted 

 to his Government's consideration. 



We will also not readily forget that during his presidency an extension of 

 the organisation and the work of the International Council has taken place which 

 will ever be considered as the greatest progress we have met with, viz. the adher- 

 ence of the United States. We cannot ascribe this to Mr. Archer's influence 

 alone, the Danish Government and our General Secretary have in a large degree 

 been instrumental in bringing about this result. But we must consider that Mr. 

 Archer has taken the responsibility upon himself in this step which could never 

 have been made without his assent. If we now should succeed to bridge over the 

 great oceanic area which separates the shores of Europe from America by means 

 of scientific research, will it not be satisfactory for Mr. Archer to know that he 

 has prepared the way? 



It is with deep regret we remember that both our ex-presidents, Herwig 

 and Archer, have left us on account of ill health and that the difficulties they 

 have encountered and the work they have executed on behalf of this Council have 

 certainly not made their burden lighter to bear. We should be happy if we could 

 hope that retirement could bring them rest and restored health. For our former 

 president, Mr. Herwig, we can, alas, not entertain such hope, but with regard to 



