6668. You add something to the price for which you would sell them to a cash customer?-Yes.
6669. Or to a fisherman who keeps an account?-Yes.
6670. A fisherman keeping an account would get his groceries at a different price from a seller of hosiery?-Yes.
6671. Do you not think that a cash system for all these matters would be simpler and more convenient for all parties concerned?-I don't see that there would be any gain to the purchaser. Suppose a woman came in with hosiery of the value of 5s. and got cash for it, she would require to go either to my shop or to some other shop with it for her goods.
6672. But if she had cash, she might purchase her goods in Lerwick or in Edinburgh, or possibly, if the trade were not in so few hands, there might be a greater competition?-There might.
6673. And she could lay out her cash in the way that was most to her own advantage?-That might be so; but then I would not give her so much in cash for her hosiery, so that I don't see where her gain would be.
6674. Is it mostly in provisions or in goods that the hosiery is paid?-I should say that it is mostly in goods.
6675. Is the account which a woman, knitting in that way, runs up entirely distinct from the account kept by her parents?-Quite distinct.
6676. If she is living in family with her father, is he considered responsible for her debt if the balance is against her?-No.
6677. Have you known any case of such a debt being enforced against the father?-I am not aware of any, and I don't think it could be enforced against him.