RESTRAINT OF TRADE.

Grey River Argus, 24 November 1910, Page 1

RESTRAINT OF TRADE.

FpdD STUFFS MUST BE SOLD * TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER.

/ _ ______ BILL .BEFORE THE HOUSE

WELLINGTON, Nov 22 . In itihe House o£ Representatives yesterday, Hon D. Buddo moved the committal of the Auctioneers Amendment Bill. Mr Massey desired an, explanation of the new clause 56 inserted in committee as follows :— "At any auction, sale of fish, fruit or vegetables, every lot shall be sold to the- highest bidder and it shall not be lawful of any auctioneer to refuse to accept a bid from any person present at the sale who ds willing- to pay cash ■ for goods on delivery thereof, and any condition or stipulation in conditions of sale in any manner violating 'this provision shall be void and of no effect." Mr Massey asked why 'this clause should apply solely to sales of fish, fruit and vegetables. Mr Witty said that 'the clause had been inserted in response *So a general 'request from all pars of the dominion. It was a fact that auctioneers refused, to seel the commodities named in the clause unless to people who were members of- rings. Mr Buddo, in. replying, said that sains of fruit, fish and vegetables .were casn transactions. It- had been found that there, were inconsistencies in regard to these sales, hence the insertion of the clause. It would no'; be wise ito make the clause apply to country sales,, where credit was given. The committal of the Bill was agreed to.

I v committee the Bill .was amended by .substituting in clause 5 the words' "on. the fail .-of the hammer" for "on delivery itihereof." -\

The Minister promised to prepare a proviso . exempting bazaars or rer ligious and charitable.p urposes from the provisions. of the Act. ;.-!

The (Bill was isubsequently readv;a thiri time and passed. -.-^