AUCKLAND LAND AGENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 180, 1 August 1925, Page 14

AUCKLAND LAND AGENTS.

WORK OF THE FAST YEAR.

THE CODE OF ETHICS.

The annual dinner of the Land and Estate Agents and Land Auctioneers' Association was held in the Chamber of Commerce last evening, Mr. H. K. Clayton presiding.

The president welcomed those present, and in moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet stated that during the past year the land sales had not been phenomenal, and with the exception of three or four firms the balance had had a somewhat hard time. On behalf of the executive he had to say that the tactics of some of the members in regard to the exchange of properties was looked upon with strong disapproval. It was strongly recommended that members be careful and not encourage the boosting up of values. The Canterbury Association had lately adopted a code of ethics, and the executive was considering whether a similar code should not be circulated among their own members. There was no doubt that those just entering the profession would find that the ethics could be adopted with advantage. He was pleased to announce that a greater esprit d 6 corps existed among members, and they were not having the number of arbitration . cases as in former years, and that, to his mind, showed that there was not much of the cut-throat business among the members. It had always been the aim of the executive to raise the tone of the profession, and the day was not far distant, he thought, when all salesmen would be licensed, and so expel those undesirables so well known to them all.

A big advance was made at the recent conference of the Real Estate Institute at Dunedin when it was decided to adopt a scheme of examination in connection with applications for membership in any association affiliated with the institute. He had no hesitation in stating that the decision, if inaugurated, woald place the land agency business on a higher plane, and at no distant date the profession would rank with law, accountancy, surveyors and other kindred professions. The association, in common with other associations throughout New Zealand, was under a debt of gratitude to those responsible for bringing down the comprehensive scheme of examination.

Inquiry in Dunedin had elicited the information that the rates of interest on mortgage ruled from half to one per cent lower than in the north. That was no doubt due to the fact that expansion was more rapid in the north, and consequently there was a greater call on finance.

The report was adopted without discussion.

The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr. Albert W. Clark; vice-presidents. Messrs. H. E. Vaile and P. J. Crumo: committee, Messrs. S. C. Colmore-Williams, W. J. Potter. H. K. Clayton, H. Mobrav, H. Hadfield, F. Parkes, and G. F. Mellars; auditor, Mr. P. R. Fraser: benevolent fund board, Messrs. H. E. Vaile, H. C. Tewsley. and H. K. Clayton. The following new tariff for hotel properties and unlicensed and licensed boaxdinghouses and businesses was adopted at an extraordinary general meeting—Five per cent up to £1000, and 2J per cent on the balance. In sales of leasehold interests the usual commission is to be charged on the goodwill, plus the leasing commission on the average annual rental.

The remainder of the evening was taken up by musical and vocal items, the Lyric Four contributing enjoyable numbers.