2596. May that have occurred often?-No; very seldom.
2597. Has it been lately?-Yes. I was obliged to make that deduction, because, if I had not done so, it would have opened a door for a system which would have robbed us of every penny of profit. If we were obliged to pay cash instead of goods, we would have no profit at all.
2598. But that has occurred sometimes?-I think it has only occurred twice in the whole of my transactions.
2599. When a discount is taken in that way, how is the entry made in the line-book?-The lines are entered when they are finally paid up. The way in which they are paid does not appear here at all.
2600. Then that discount will not appear in the book?-No; but I may say that I often give small sums of cash on these lines without taking a discount, where I think the person is really in need of it.
2601. I think you said these lines were very seldom given to women whom you employ to knit for you?-Very seldom, I think.
2602. Can you name any of these women who have got them?-I cannot; perhaps Mr. Sandison can. He is more in the way of settling with these people than I am.
2603. Have you any dealings in stockings and the commoner kinds of hosiery?-The price-list will show that.
2604. Is the system of dealing in these just the same as you have already described?-The same principle applies to all the trade.
2605. That kind of goods is generally brought in from the country, I understand?-Yes, generally.