13,710. On the other hand, he does not pay for the fish that are caught until six or seven months afterwards?-He does not realize them until then. None of the fish-curers get one penny for their fish until about the end of December, except perhaps for a very small parcel which they may send to a retail dealer in the south.
13,711. That may be quite true; but is any employer of labour in a better position?-Yes.
13,712. A farmer, for instance, pays his labourers weekly or fortnightly, as the case may be, and he very often does not realize his crops until many months afterwards?-That is true; but he is selling his butter and milk and cattle.
13,713. Still it does not follow that he is paid for them at the time?-Cattle, I think, are generally paid for in cash.
13,714. But there are other producers, such as manufacturers, who are only paid by long-dated bills, generally at three months?-Yes; but here the merchant does not get his return until the end of twelve months. The fish-merchant or curer begins to advance in the beginning of January, and he continues to advance until the end of December, without getting any money back; so that he lies out of his money for twelve months. He neither gets money from the party to whom he advances the goods, nor from the party to whom he sells his fish.
13,715. Do you think that is the main justification for the long settlements which are made with the men?-Of course it is.
13,716. Is it not possible for a fish-curer beginning business on a small scale, to carry on his business without any capital at all, or almost without capital?-If he gets assistance he may, but it is not possible to do it without assistance. No one can carry on business to any extent without capital.
13,717. But he requires only a limited capital, does he not?-He requires a good deal of capital, but it depends entirely upon the extent of his business.
13,718. He has no wages to pay until about the time when he realizes the sales for the year?-But he has goods to supply or money to advance.
13,719. But he may have a certain amount of goods which may be got at three or six months' credit, according to arrangement?- Yes.