8154. Have you any knowledge of the system adopted at Wick with regard to the herring fishery?-Yes. I know something about it.
8155. Is there not some system of that kind followed there?-I could not say just now.
8156. Do you think the system of paying for hosiery in goods is a good one?-No; I think it is a very bad system. I think the hosiery should be paid for in money, and the goods sold at the same price.
8157. Do you think the system has a bad effect in the separation of interests it creates between the different members of the same family?-I think it has a bad effect in this way, that some parties would be more careful if they had their money, whereas at the present time they don't have the chance of that.
8158. Does the same objection apply to the long settlements with the fishermen which you make with regard to the system of paying for the hosiery?-Yes. There is often a long settlement in the payment for the hosiery too. There is an account run for the payment of hosiery with many of the women. That would not signify so much if they were paid in cash when the settlement comes; but I am not aware that that is done, except perhaps in a few cases.
8159. Do you think women are induced under the present system to take more articles of dress than they require?-Not of dress.
8160. But they take anything they require unless money?-Some of them take provisions, and meal, and tea.
8161. In your part of the country, are provisions given for hosiery as well as goods?-Yes, and I know that hereabout a little cash is given too, but in very exceptional cases.*
*Mr. Gifford handed in the following statement, showing the number of holdings on the Busta and other estates under his charge and the amount of rent-
<No. of holdings on Busta. No. of holdings on other properties.>