[31] THE FISHERIES OF INDIA. 413 



he probably meant idle, which idleness is due, first, as I have already- 

 explained, to the incidence of the salt-tax -, and, secondly, that when salt 

 is unobtainable, did they exert themselves, the market Avould become 

 overstocked. 



Resume. — Such is a brief outline of the fisheries of India, the ])art 

 they subserve in providing food for the people, and the hindrances un- 

 der which they suffer. Excellent and painstaking as are our Indian 

 officials, there are but few among them who have time to interest them- 

 selves respecting the complex question of fisheries, while the fishermen 

 are among the most patient of the races of India, and the least likwly 

 to bring their grievances to notice. It thus comes to pass that the 

 philanthropist, with mistaken zeal, throws open freshwater fisheries 

 to the peoijle, causing their depletion or almost ruin. 



The legislator believes that permitting the fishermen to collect salt 

 earth, or obtain salt duty free, will only be assisting the smuggler, and 

 allows him no exemption. The financier, requiring money, sees in salt- 

 taxes the best means of obtaining it, and forgets, or perhaps never in- 

 vestigates into, how such is detrimental to the health of the inhabitants, 

 and ruinous to the fisheries; while the high official who permits matters 

 to drift as every chance wind blows is merely following, in respect to 

 fisheries, the example given in this country, where they aie by turns 

 cared for or disregarded, and every interest save those of the finny tribes 

 has its advocates and upholders of its vested rights. 



