DEBTORS AND CREDITORS.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1708, 9 August 1875, Page 2

DEBTORS AND CREDITORS.

IN THEIR RELATIONS TO ONE ANOTHER, AND

TO HOUSEHOLDS IK PARTICULAR,

[To the Editor of the Evening Star.] Sib, —As your columns are ever open to the cause which needs assistance, there is one that, in all probability, will commend itself to the earnest attention not only of those in authority, but especially to those whose status and whose family obligations render it imperative that they should, if possible, as upright men, endeavour to live within the means allotted to them, whatever their calling or occupation may be. Reference is chiefly made to the system of credit, as affecting the domestic and social condition of families and its bearing upon the tradesman, who make 3 himself creditor to an amount unwarranted by the ordinary rules which govern a healthy state of things, as between the buyer and the seller^ !in the common acceptation of the term. It may therefore be reasonably taken for granted that all risks beyond this should be borne, as in many cases they are, by the vendors, who in course of time write them off as bad debts-; but there are exceptions to every rule, and it is to those persons who thus recklessly part with their goods that these remarks, are intended to apply. To the breadwinner for example of a family, (sometimes a stranger), in whose name various articles are eagerly supplied, the system is in nine cases out of ten ruinous, socially and morally ; the reasons are both obvious and manifold over these unfortunate persons. Tradesmen in general have an overwhelming advantage for instance if the unsuspecting debtor refuse, or perhaps cannot pay, exposure stares him in the face--from this he shrinks, reasons known only to himself prompt reserve, and he bears in silence (as the law Implies) on his own shoulders, the sins and weaknesses of others, of the tradesman who supplies, not less than of those whose better judgment should have to right them to refrain from obtaining on such precarious terms, the result generally is this, unable to pay, the unhappy victim becomes an unwilling scapegoa,t, and so sinks deeper and deeper into the mire, from which perhaps there is no escape except it be by bankruptcy or dishonour. It is for such persons that the interposition of those in authority is now sought for. It is, therefore, earnestly prayed that our Resident Magistrates on some fitting occasion and in a marked manner pronounce an opinion, one that shall dispel once for all any doubts as to the nature and extent of this class of debts, and be the means of shielding the unsuspecting and unoffending, and thus remove a canker which threatens to overthrow the peace and comfort of households, and of many valued and festeemed friends and —I am, £c.,^f£l3

ECONOMIST.