Feilding Star. SATURDAY, JAN. 10, 1891. Terms—Cash

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 86, 10 January 1891, Page 2

Feilding Star. SATURDAY, JAN. 10, 1891. Terms— Cash

There is a tendency just now among the business people in this part of the country, to give substantial encouragement to those of their customers who are a-le and willing to pay in ready money for goods" supplied to them for consumption. The causes which have led to this are not far to seek,, and we only state the truth when we remark that, in the first place, the business people have given too much credit, and in the second place too many of their' customers have taken -more goods on credit than thevr incomes, or positions in life, justified. The faulty therefore lies on both sides. Tho system of credit which obtains in properly regulated circles, is of such manifest advantage to the foreign, or local producer, the importer, and the retail distributor, that it requires no praise from us. The proverbial village blacksmith "" who looked the whole world in the face because he owed not any man," would be looked on now-a-days as a very indifferent business man. Where the evil of credit makes itself felt is in the habit so many people gel; into of not paying small accounts. Take any ordinary retail establishment, and an examination of the ledger will show that the greater part of the accounts do not exceed a couple .or three pounds, while vei-y many of them are even less than that. If these were paid off regularly, at recognised intervals, there can be no question that the consumer would be supplied with cheaper and even better quality of goods than he gets. at present; but peopla won't see that, and too many of them have strong objections to " frittering; away their money in paying their debts," when it can be so much more pleasurably spent in amusements, or in the purchase of luxuries, for which ready money is absolutely necessary. Now, in the case of the settlers around us, we say distinctly that we do not know a single one of them who is not in a position to pay his tradesmen either in-. cash, or within a reasonable time after he has obtained the goods. They are all doing well ; they have had an exceptionally fine season, with exceptionally ..high prices for their stock and produce; therefore the payment of their tradesmen's accounts should be a matter of no great difficulty. .Of course everyone living in a farming district knows that in a time of prosperity . people are apt to go rather heavily into improvements, and these in ,tbeir turn-are, apt to absorb in -wages the money which should go to pay the tradesmenj. a facs which is seldom. taken into, consideration when the sai{l improvements are commenced. It is only when the storekeeper begins, to press for his money that settlers feel there are other obligations than those of adding to the value of their farms by new fences, or putting on more stock. "We do not think there would be so much trouble to tradesmen in collecting their accounts if they gave their customers clearly to understand in. the beginning what their terms were, and abide, by these absolutely ; also if the business people were to have a mutual arrangement that when a customer b.ecame..a notorious offender he should have his credit stopped altogether. By these means :we feel sure both parties to the contract would be gain - ers. Or\ course; where the competition for business is very keen there .would be. difficulties, but firmness on the part of those, most concerned would go far to remove them. We are strongly opposed to the spasmodic introduction of new systems of doing business. All changes must be brought about gradually and hy degrees. Auy sudden and radical alteration upsets the calculations of even the most prudent, and the probabilities are that the people who are " wanted to be. got at" escape altogether, while good business may be driven away into other quarters never to be. reclaimed: .What has to be done is to educate the public into -paying cash for. small items," aud settling accounts according to arrangements made to suit mutual convenience.