THE FRUIT TRADE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2138, 13 March 1908, Page 2

THE FRUIT TRADE.

The report from Christchurch that the fruit auctioneers, at tlio request of retail shopkeepers, have decided not to allow tho public to buy .at auction, exception being made in the case of hotel, restaurant, and board-inghouse-keepers, raises an important question (says the “Dominion”). The proposal is "all very well from tho retailers’ point of view, but there is another aspect- to the case—can the auctioneer legally refuse to sell to any member of tlie public who chooses to bid? Mr Brown, of Messrs Laery and Co., was consulted on the point by a “Dominion” representative. and ho was emphatic in stating That .auctioneers in so acting would be contravening the Act under which they are permitted to sell by auction. No auctioneer could refuse to take a legitimate bid from anyone, and tlie wliolo principle of public auctions is involved in the question. Mr Brown said he had been approached several times by Chinese as well -as others who were desirous or preventing the public from buying at auction, but he had always set his face against it. There was nothing much in tlie way of business done with private individuals in Wellington, but ipersonally ho liked to see them coming around, and buying. There were serviceable on occasions, too, in running up the price of a line. A man might want a certain thing, and he meant to have it at any price in reason, so he would bid briskly, and so ensure a better return for both the grower and auctioneer.