15,727. They might not get them cheaper as matters stand at present; but if they were, all willing to pay in cash, would it not be possible for you to give them their goods cheaper than you supply them upon credit?-I would not sell cheaper for cash. The goods are all marked in figures, and when they are paid for in cash they are charged at the same prices as when put down to the account. We have not two prices for our goods.
15,728. What proportion does your cash trade bear to your credit trade?-I should say that it is more than one third, but not one half.
15,729. In the answers you have given, are you speaking of the Faroe fishermen in your employment, or are you also referring to the home fishermen?-I have been speaking of the Faroe fishermen principally.
15,730. Where are the men employed by you in the ling fishing?- Most of them are situated in Sandwick parish.
15,731. Have they also accounts in your shop here?-Most of them have.
15,732. But not to the same extent per man as the Faroe men?- No; but we know exactly how much they are likely to gain, and therefore they are not allowed to exceed a certain sum.
15,733. Do you limit the credits of the men employed in the home fishing?-They limit their credits themselves, because they are grown-up men with families, and they know how far they should run their accounts. Of course, if they were running them further, we would limit them; but we rarely have to do that, because we know they must have the little which they do get.
15,734. Is not that the case with the Faroe fishermen also?-Yes; we limit them too.
15,735. But I understand you to say that the necessity for limiting the home fishermen is greater than in the case of the Faroe fishermen?-Yes.
15,736. Why is that?-Because I consider the home fishing is not so good a fishing: the earnings from it are not so great.