CONCERNING LAND AGENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 46, 24 February 1927, Page 4

CONCERNING LAND AGENTS.

AMENDMENTS WANTED. TO CHECK ABUSES. Referring to the Land Agents Act, 1921--2 at the annual meeting on Monday night of tlie Canterbury Land Agents' Association. the president, Mr. H. AV. lieslop, said that while it was a great improvement on the Act of 1912 it still left much to be desired. The association was carefully watching the political situation with the view of urging the Government, at the first favourable opportunity, to bring in an amending Art. Amongst a few of the disabilities under wnich land agents _ laboured were:(a) The prevention of ''dummyism," under which a man who cannot obtain a license himself secures one in the name of Lis accountant or some other dummy. (b) Licensing .of salesmen, so that the salesman guilty of malpractice with one agent will be prevented from securing a position elsewhere. (c) A strict investigation by the Court as to the financial position of applicants. (d) More stringent regulations to be provided for the control and punishment of agents guilty of malpractice. (e) The examination standard, which would necessitate an applicant having satisfied nie Court that he had some practical knowledge in regard to the Land Agents' Act. and his responsibilities thereunder, together with a working knowledge of such Acts as appertain to the business generally. In another part of his address Mr. Ifeslop said: —"A copy of the regulations alfecting the proposed audit of trust accounts was considered a few months ago. and it is quite probable that regulations lor the auditing of ! ...it agents' trust accounts will shortly be gazetted to take effect from April next. These should tend to increase the confidence of the public in properly conducted land agency businesses. I am sure our members will appreciate lu ?£*' iUU * lna^e themselves acquainted with the regulations as to the handling of ktW 8 ' Dg of recei Pts, etc., so that «"= «»<i »f