BROKERS OR AGENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20024, 24 August 1939, Page 5

BROKERS OR AGENTS

LAND TRANSFER DEALING RESTRICTION OF LICENSES BILL BEFORE HOUSE (Parliamentary .Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. When the Land Transfer Amendment Bill was in the committee stages after the second reading in the House of Representatives, a protest was mmde by the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Adam Hamilton, against the introduction of a new clause which, he declared, had not been sufficiently circulated. The clause provided for restrictions on the (licensing of landbroker’s, making it illegal for a person to hold a land-broker’s license if he was the holder of a license ns a land agent.'

Mr. Hamilton contended that the change contemplated in the bill would affect a large number of persons already in business. Apparently these people had not been given the opportunity ' of making representations to the Government.

In reply the Attorney-General, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, giave an undertaking thaf. an opportunity would be provided to the affected parties to make any representations they desired before the bill reached the Upper House. He said that there had not been any intention of cloaking the clause from publicity and a course had been chosen by which the clause would receive the greatest amount of publicity possible. The Leader of the Opposition said that while 'he could agree with the principle laid down in the clause, he considered it was a “bit hard to knock out those persons who already held licenses without giving them the opportunity of making representations concerning the effect of the bill on their future.”

Differing from the view expressed by his chief Mr. W. A. Bodkin, (Nat., Central Otago) said the position was not exiactly as Mr. Hamilton had expressed it. The clause simply said that a person could not hold the two licenses. In that fashion it would prevent one individual acting for two parties in a dual capacity and would ensure that the parties affected 1 by a transfer of land would have the opportunity of accepting independent advice.

Mr. Bodkin added that the clause left it open for persons in the land transfer business to eject whether they would remain as land agents or carry on as brokers, but they could not perform both duties.

Mr. W. J. Broadfoot (Nat., Waitomo) supported: his leader, saying that there was much in favour of giving persons whose financial position might be affected the opportunity of stating their case. The bill was read a third time and passed.