Tenants

Press, 1 May 1984, Page 16

Tenants

Sir,—l wonder whether the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Mr Palmer, has ever approached any landlord to inquire why there is discrimination against Maoris and other Polynesians who are trying to rent homes. A landlord should have the right to select his tenants and to protect his property. — Yours, etc., H. BIRT. April 17, 1984.

(The Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Mr Geoffrey Palmer, replies: “Your correspondent is entirely mistaken. Landlords are not entitled to discriminate against Maoris and other Polynesians. It is unlawful under section 6 of the Race Relations Act 1971 for anyone to refuse to let any residential accommodation to any other person ‘by reason of the colour, race, or ethnic or national origins of that person.’ Your correspondent admits there is discrimination. That discrimination is unlawful. It is, for example, totally unlawful for a landlord to tell an agency the premises are to be shown to Europeans only. It has been reported to me this occurs. Those who are a party to such discrimination risk prosecution. I have no desire to discuss with landlords why they are breaking the law. If breaches come to my notice they will be reported to the competent authorities.”]