FAIR RENTS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 228, 26 September 1941, Page 2

FAIR RENTS

LITTLE DISCUSSION QUESTION OF DISPUTES

(By Telefrraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Provision for the extension of the operation of the Fair Rents Act, 1930, until October 31, 1942. is made in an amending bill which was introduced in the House of Representatives yesterday by Governor-General's Message. The Prime Minister. Mr. Eraser, accepted an offer by the Leader of the Opposition, to put the bill through all stages, and the result was that it was passed in quick time with a minimum of discussion. Mr. Fraser said that in the ordinary course it would be possible to make provision for the extension of the operation of the Act in a Statutes Amendment Bill, but in this case! that would be too late, because the operation of the Act expired on Tuesday night. If members had any suggestions for amendments in connection with rooms or improvements they could be considered later. In agreeing to the rapid passage of the bill, said Mr. Holland, the Oppo - sition was adopting an unusual course, but he thought it was a proper one under the circumstances However, he did not wish it to be thought that the Opposition was agreeing with everything contained in the original legislation. Mr. Fraser said he accepted the statement of the Leader of the Opposition without qualification. The Opposition's action did not mean that the Opposition or anv part of it agreed with the legislation. A Jndicial Referee? Mr. Lee (Democratic Labour. Grey Lynn) raised the question of whether it would be possible to appoint a judicial referee to whom the various parties could have their cases referred without the necessity of having to pay substantial legal bills. Although it was true the assistance of the Labour Department could be obtained in these cases, it was also true that people in difficulties never rested until they had consulted a solicitor. It was hot fair to involve either the landlord or the tenant in a substantial bill of costs when they both might have quite reasonable cases. Mr. Lee also suggested that something should be done to protect shopkeepers from having to pay exorbitant rents. If while they were attempting to keep down the prices of goods they were going to allow shop rents to increase the shopkeeper was going to be caught most unfairly. He hoped some provision would be made to protect the shopkeeper who was being bled unfairly. Replying, the Attorney-General, Mr. Mason, said that in drafting the original Act every attention wis given to the question of minimising costs, and thus facilitating the application for the remedies provided No Court fees were charged under the Act, and in the absence of misconduct in reference to the proceedings neither party had to pav the costs of the other. The inspector of factories also gave assistance without fee. Pnblic Proceedings As for the idea of a different sort of arbitrator, continued Mr. Mason, he did not know that substituting one for another was going to help much. When jt came to the question of the disposition of property he was afraid there must be something in the nature of public proceedings, and those cases could not be heard without Court fees any more than any other case. Shops were covered under the legislation where the premises were also used for dwelling purposes. Other provisions were to be made under another heading in respect to shops.

After the bill had been passed bv the House it was sent on to the Legislative Council, where it was read the first time. It will be considered further by the Council this afternoon.