RENT RESTRICTION

Evening Post, Issue 99, 24 October 1934, Page 16

RENT RESTRICTION

EXISTING LAW CONTINUED

.- Though the necessity for tho Kent Restriction Bill,, which has beon passed each year since 1918, is diminishing; the existing law is to continue till October 31, 1935.-' ■-'.'■' „t. In moving the second reading ot tue Bill in the House of Bepresentatives last evening, the Acting Minister of tabour (the Honi J. Bitchener) said that during the year ended 31 last 176 applications were received from tenants for inquiry as to whether pxctessivo . rents were being charged. The previous year's figure WAS 278. In no cases were proceedings taken in the court, but in -29 cases the- rents demanded were reduced on representations by officers of the Department, While in 101 cases it was found on inquiry that the rents; being--:demanded by the landlords were" not unreasonable: In the remaining; 46 cases no action was. taken for various-reasons. The Minister pointed out that about half the total number of cases brought under the scope of the Act last year referred to Wellington, which appeared to be the storm centre. This, he thought, was not to be wondered at, in view of the fact that rates and taxes in the capital city were extremely high. Ho had heard it stated that property owners at Oriontal Bay were paj'ing rates amounting to over £30 a year. The Bill.had performed a very useful service and with the substantial decrease in tho number of applications | now appeared to have outlived its usefulness. He doubted whether it would be necessary to continue tho legislation I after next yoar. ! Support i'or the Bill was given by i Wellington members, and tho measure Ifcvas-jHzlj through v aJI stages »nd passed. ~