AUCTIONEERS' LICENSES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13783, 23 June 1908, Page 5

A UCTIONEERS' LICENSES.

ANOMALTTN THE ACT.

[BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington, Monday. A number of city auctioneers met to-day to discuss what was considered to be an anomaly in the Auctioneers Act. It was explained that if a firm took out a. license it became the personal property of the auctioneer who was to us© it for the time being. . ' If he left he could take the license with him. It was contended that this was contrary to the intention of the Legislature. A firm which went to the expense of taking out a, license should have the power of nominating from time to time the person who was to use it.

Mr.. A. Leigh Hunt submitted that the Act had become obsolete. It seemed to imply that an auctioneer was necessarily proprietor of the business in which he was engaged. About 18 linns had written expressing themselves in favour of an amendment of the Act.

The chairman (the Hon. T. K. Macdonald) remarked that another important question, was whether land agents should he licensed.

Mr. Townsend contended that large firms were not placed in a fair position compared 'with persons.who were allowed to take out licenses for three mouths, or even the six months preceding December 31, the date when all licenses expired.

The Hon. T. K. M'acdouald, Messrs. Leigh, Hunt (secretary), H. Baker, J. B. Hareourt, Townsend, Morrah, and Herdman were appointed a committee to examine the Act, and report to a further meeting..