AUCTIONEERS’ CHARGES.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 218, 25 October 1916, Page 3

AUCTIONEERS’ CHARGES.

AN IMPORTANT QUESTION. A question of considerable interest to auctioneers and stockowners was discussed at a mooting of farmers held at Marton under the auspices of the Fanners’ Union. Mr G. L. Marshall presided, and stated that it was decided at a meeting of the executive committee of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union at Palmerston North last week to ask all branches to meet and fno ward suggestions as to what they considered should be a reasonable reduction in auctioneers ’ charges, to elect delegates to meet at Palmerston North, and then draft a resolution to be forwarded to the auctioneers. They were charged on this coast a bigger commission than in any other part Levin had got a reduction of 3$ per cent by holding a meeting of fa.rmeiis and entering a protest. The auctioneers’ area on this coast extended from Paekakariki to the Wangaehu river, and. being well organised, they had so far resisted al farmers’ efforts to get a reduction. In the Waikato the Farmers’ Auctioneering Company returned a twenty per cent, dividend, which reduced the commission to 3 1-3 1 per. cent. In Christchurch the commission was 21 to 3 per cent. The auctioneers recognised their fees were too

high by reducing charges 7} per cent at Levin. The auctioneers now get Is per sheep commission, and in the case of wethers fetching 36s the farmer only gets 34s 6d. They had a genuine grievj ance, and if they made a concerted ef-

fort he thought they might get a fair reduction. He considered 1 per cent, all round (reduced to 3 per cent.) and 4 per cent charge on single beasts, and 2 per cent, on paddock sales was an equitable charge. North of Wangaehu 3f p.c. was charged. He considered that auctioneers were making twice as much now as previously. When the matter was placed before the auctioneers last year by deputation the auctioneers stated that their expenses and salaries were considerably higher. He moved: “That this meeting is of opinion that '■he auctioneers’ commission charges should be reduced 1 pen cent, all round and 1 per cent, on stock sold in paddocks.”

Mr B P. Lethbridge' seconded the motinn, and lie thought it was a fair proposal. The motion was carried unanimously.

Mr B. P. Lethbridge was appointed a delegate to represent the Marton branch at the executive committee meeting of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union,