House Agents' Licences - So far the evidence laid before
the Select Committee (Viscount Mersey is Chairman) of the House of Lords, which is enquiring into the incidence of auctioneers, house- agents, and valuers' licences, goes to show a fairly general disapproval of the present lax system. The origin of these (purely Revenue) duties goes back to the time when taxpayers had to foot the bill for the American War of Independence, and, since, there has never been any successful attempt to effect in Great Britain .laws similar to those in operation in practically all the Dominions. There, evidence of personal character and financial standing is an essential preliminary to the obtaining of a licence to practise such callings. Here, as the law now stands, and has stood for a century or more, any person, ex-convict, undischarged bankrupt, or minor, • can obtain a licence, and there exists no machinery = for its cancellation or suspension.. It is hoped the Report of the Committee may be issued before the Session concludes.
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