FAIRNESS IN HOUSING

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 26, 30 July 1931, Page 12

FAIRNESS IN HOUSING

The Rent Restriction Act now applies to fewer dwellings than when it was originally passed, except for the special provision for the Hawkes Bay earthquake area. The practical objection to its extension is therefore less on the scpre of unfairness to individual property-owners. But there remains the undeniable objection that any such restrictive legislation frightens investors who would otherwise enter the business of house provision. When the House of Representatives discussed the Rent Restriction Extension Bill on Tuesday night

there was less tendency than formerly lo pillory the landlord. One Labour member even Conceded that

"hardship was also suffered by those who were dependent on rents for their living." If lliis altitude had been adopted ten years ago and if there had been less disposition to hold the letthig-owner up as a target for abuse the position would now be much better for all tenants. When will it be recognised that the interests of good tenants are best served by encouraging house-letting instead of subjecting it to restrictions and treating the landlord as if he were a hard-hearted, grasping profiteer, entitled to no return from his investment? ■