SECOND-HAND TRADING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21874, 9 August 1934, Page 14

SECOND-HAND TRADING

ITINERANT DEALERS LICENCES FROM MAGISTRATE AMENDING LEGISLATION [by teljKghadi—special rkpohtkii] WELLINGTON;' Wednesdny The transfer from local authorities to magistrates of the function of issuing second-hand dealers' licences is proposed in the Second-hand Dealers Amendment Bill, which was introduced by Governor-General's Message in the House of Representatives to-day. The bill also brings within the sco|>e of the Second-hand Dealers Act, 1908, itinerant second-hand dealers and iiersons purchasing second-hand articles for purposes of manufacturing other articles therefrom. The bill is to amend the principal Act of 1908 as from April 1, 1935. Until March 31 next licences arc to bo issued by local authorities as hitherto, but all such licences will expire on that date. Every licence issued by a magistrate will, unless sooner cancelled or forfeited, cease to have effect on the March 31 following its issue. At present every licence runs for one year from the day on which it is issued. Dealing With Applications

Where anv person proposes to carry on tho business of a second-hand dealer he shall apply for a licence at the Magistrate's Court nearest his place of business. The magistrate, if satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a licence, shall, on the payment of a fee of 5s in respect of each licence, or a fee of 10s where a licence is in respect of both a settled place of business and itinerant dealing, issue a licence or licences to the applicant. The magistrate may accept as sufficient evidence of the applicant being a fit and proper person a certificate from tho chief officer of police in the locality in which is situated applicant's place of business. When the holder of a licence changes any place of business or, being an itinerant dealer, changes his residence, or extends the locality in which he carrieß on his business, he shall give notice to the Clerk of tho Court, who will note the change in the register. Every holder of a second-hand dealer's licence who acquires any second-hand article by way of purchase or exchange shall retain it in his possession for one month before disposing of it in any way or altering its condition or appearance. Provision lor Cancellation Provision is made for tho panellation of a licence where the holder is convicted of any offeuce under the bill or the principal Act, or of any other offence punishable by imprisonment. Every person who makes any statement in any application for a licence knowing it to be false commits an offence, and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of £SO, or imprisonment for three months, or to both. Schedules showing the particulars required of applicants for licences, and the form of licences for various types of dealers, are published in the bill. The Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Minister of Justice, said the bill was intended to deal with itinerant second-hand dealers and persons who purchased goods for the purpose of breaking them down. "Raid on Local Body Funds" Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Labour —Avon) said the proposals would mean that the licence fees, which at present went to the local bodies, would go to the Government. He did not like that interference with local bodies. Local authorities obtained police reports before granting a licence, and ho asked if a magistrate would be in a better position than a local body to secure information. He hoped municipalities throughout the Dominion would take notice of the raid on thdir funds by the Minister of Justice.

Mr. R. Seinplo (Labour —Wellington East) said it was hard enough for local bodies now to secure revenue, but the bill would make tho position harder. Mr. R. McKt'en (Labour —Wellington South) said tho powers of the police were being extended, and with all due respect to the police ho thought that was not desirable and the police did not want it.

Mr. Cobbe said the whole purpose of the bill was to protect persons and homos from which things might be stolen. Mr. F. W. Schramm (Labour—Auckland East) said it seemed as if many jieople who were now hawking would have to be registered as second-hand dealers. He said that local authorities did not always give applicants a fair cjpal. Sometimes an applicant was refused a licence because lie was not in favour with some public citizen. Mr. P. Eraser (Labour —Wellington Central) upheld tho granting of licences by local authorities. Ho thought that applicants would receivo more leniency there than thev would from a magistrate. He asked if the fees would still go to the local bodies. Mr. Cobbo said that as he read the bil> there was nothing in it. to divert the revenue from licences from local bodies.

Tho bill was introduced and read a first time.