Help for the Herring Fishermen There are few industries in
Britain which have been harder hit by the depression than the fishing industry, or have so great a claim on the consideration of the country. The men most vitally affected—the essential services which their training enabled them to perform during the War ought never to be forgotten—are those engaged in the herring trade, who have suffered by a fall in home con- sumption during the last 20 years of about 45 per cent., and a drop in exports of 55 per cent; The boats in both the English and Scottish steam drifter fleets are deeply in debt, and there is no money available for re-conditioning or replacing the old -and out-worn vessels. In these critical circumstances the Sea Fish Commission has hastened to issue a report recommending the establish- ment of a Herring Board with wide powers. of jurisdiction over all the fisheries, including the power to license all herring fishermen, salesmen, curers and kipperers, to license the boats, apply close seasons, .provide credit facilities, and conduct export arrangements ; and a Government grant is recommended. The grant is small and the organization of the industry essential. The Com- mission's proposals are therefore, in their broad outline, sound. Meanwhile the general public and public bodies can do something themselves to assist consumption. The example of Yarmouth in including herrings in the meals at poor-law institutions might well be followed by other Public Assistance Committees.
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