5905. Why?-Because I think, under the present system, they are getting the very utmost the fish are worth to any merchant.
5906. But would it not be better for the fishermen? Would they not work as well, or better, if they knew the price they were to get?-I am not very sure about that; I cannot see in what respect they could possibly be better than they are.
5907. In your curing establishment do you employ beach boys at a fixed rate per annum?-Yes.
5908. Do they open an account in your shop-books in the same way as a fisherman who is engaged to fish to you for the season?- Yes, in much the same way. We engage them about this time of the year, and they require a few trifles about this time. Then, before they commence work on the beach, they require some clothing-perhaps some oilskins and boots or shoes. Then they require meal to keep them going through the season, and they are settled with at the end.
5909. What is the amount of the balance generally paid to a beach boy at settlement time in cash?-From 10s. to 30s.
5910. Out of wages amounting to from £2 to £3, 10s.?-Yes; we very seldom pay a boy more than £3.
5911. Have you any difficulty in getting beach boys?-We do find a considerable difficulty sometimes.
5912. Is the supply not equal to the demand?-Not in our case. For the past year for instance, it has not.
5913. How does that happen? Are their wages too low, or have they any other employment nowadays?-Nowadays the boys are being employed at the fishing sooner than they used to be.
5914. Are there many people employed in your curing establishment as day workers?-Yes; they are chiefly women, but there are a few boys and a few old people.