ABOLITION OF CREDIT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2823, 22 April 1908, Page 9

ABOLITION OF CREDIT.

EXPERIENCE IN GISBORNE. GISBORNE, April 18. A Times reporter has been investigating the working of the cash system, which has been m vogue here since January X. From that dato the local bakers had decreed that no one should receive credit even for a day, and if the housewife had not the cash ready the carter was to bring the bread away, and not to leave any. After 15 weeks' trial the bakers are fully satisfied with the system, as it does away with bookkeeping and bad debts. A few housewives informed the pressman that the system involved hardship, but the majority appeared to have taken kindly to the innovation. It turns out, towever, that the cash basis is not adhered to as rigidly as was advertised m tho first place, for th« bakers have apparently not prevented their carters from leaving the loaves on occasions when, for various good reasons, the money was not on hand. In other words, at least a day's credit is sometimes given. The price of the 21b loaf here is 3£d. Books of coupons are issued by the bakers to meet the wishes of those not desiring to keep a supply of coppers always handy, but there is no concession made to those who purchase these. The butchers followed the bakers with a system by which they give 10 days' credit. Accounts for goods supplied up to Saturday night have to be paid by the succeeding Wednesday, otherwise supplies are stopped. This also has worked satisfactorily up to date. j