COUNCIL — MARS 1920 — 20 — 



participating countries in the hands of the Bureau. But if scientific work is to be 

 carried on properly, as it was before the war, increased contributions are necessary. 



Dr. Hjort said: When the war broke out we were in a very difficult posi- 

 tion, having to consider the uncertain problem of how this International Council 

 could continue during the war. I discussed privately with my friends the possibility 

 of some of the smaller countries paying a larger contribution, the Great Powers 

 being involved in a very costly struggle. Great Britain has paid a most liberal 

 contribution to this work, which saved the situation. On the other hand the interest 

 of the smaller countries varied in each case. I myself have the honour to represent 

 a small country, whose fisheries are perhaps second to none but Great Britain. 

 It might therefore be our duty and our wish to contribute more than some of the 

 others, and I have suggested that Norway should try to make up its share by under- 

 taking the expense of the administration of the Herring work. In the same way 

 I think that the only practical course open to us is that each country shall do some- 

 thing specially besides making their contribution. I therefore recommend that the 

 Danish delegates — if we cannot ask all the countries to raise their contributions 

 — request their Government liberally to support the scientific work done in Den- 

 mark. 



The General Secretary endorsed the remarks of Dr. Hjort and Prof. Knud- 

 SEN. The Bureau had dealt very carefully with the question, but it was complica- 

 ted by the fact that they did not know how many countries would participate. 

 Germany and Russia would probably not join for next year and the United 

 States and Canada did not as yet propose to join. It was therefore thought bet- 

 ter not to raise salaries or contributions now but to wait until the number of 

 participants and the amount of income to be expected would be known as we hope 

 at the next Council Meeting. The proposed Budget must be considered as a War 

 Budget and as adapted to the present income of the Council. 



Professor D'Arcy Thompson felt sure that Prof. Knudsen's suggestion 

 would meet with the greatest sympathy. There was no doubt that Dr. Gehrke's 

 proposed income was exceedingly small, while the services he had rendered for 

 many years had been exceedingly important. He therefore asked the Bureau to 

 reconsider the salary allotted to Dr. Gehrke in view of the fact that they were 

 looking forward to a more or less prosperous future. 



Professor Witting seconded Prof. Thompson's proposal and suggested to 

 raise the head II, 9, in the expenditures for the financial year 1920 — 21 with 

 2000 Kroner to be taken from "Unforeseen Expenses". 



The General Secretary replied that the Bureau would like to comply with 

 the suggestion made, but it would entail consideration of the whole question of 

 salaries, which could not be increased at the present moment. 



