The Daily News. MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1912. THE CURSE OF TARANAKI.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 228, 25 March 1912, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1912. THE CURSE OF TARANAKI.

In a recent case before the Supremo Court, in which land agents were carefully examined by expert counsel, one of the "tricks of the trade" was explained. It had already been known that some of the agents acted together in collusion, even though each was working for a separate client. It is manifestly to the advantage of such parties to obtain from both clients the fullest possible commission. So prices are "bumped up," particularly in exchanges of properties. Supposing you have legal business involving large interests and another man's affairs. You consult a' lawyer, thus making him your confidential agent. The other fellow also consults his lawyer in confidence. The two rival lawyers having been carefully confided in, immediately break their confidence by consulting together in order to "rook" their clients, agreeing to pool the proceeds. Everybody will at once agree that this is dishonorable. The difference between a lawyer and a land agent is acute. The one has the reputation of his profession to consider. He is amenable to the discipline of a close corporation and to the even sterner discipline of the courts lie practises in. There is no tradition of high character in the land agency business, even though there are honorable men in a profession into which anyone may enter. In our view, i the ease with which the land agency business can be entered into is the reason why "fishy" transactions are so common to the class. As we have so often said, "men of straw"- enter into the business with perfect ease. As for the State, it is hopelessly behindhand in its dealings with land agents. It imposes no restrictions, gathers no fees, and, as is seen, does not make it illegal for two or more men to conspire together while acting confidentially for Keller and purchaser respectively. It is obvious that the land agency business i« an al tractive one, and that in its present state it has become a monstrous evil, infinitely more harmful than noxious weeds. Tf the State pretends an interest in the people if should deal with the land agency business strenuously. That a heavy licen-e fee should he paid there is no question, and the State might go further and carefully examine candidates