CORRECTING ABUSES

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 107, 9 May 1938, Page 16

CORRECTING ABUSES

HIRE-PURCHASE SYSTEM

BILL IN'COMMONS

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, May ,6. In a short session the House of Commons gave unopposed third readings to two private, members Bills, one of which, was a'Bill sponsored by Miss Ellen Wilkinson for the correction of abuses in the hire-purchase system; It received support from all parties and the Approval of the Government, as well as a sympathetic reception by the leading houses of. the hire-purchase business The measure is really regarded as of major social importance in affording protection to the hirer from unscrupulous practices which have developed in connection with ' hire-pur-chase agreements, such as "snatch back" and "doubling up." At the same time the provisions have been carefully framed in consultation with the trade interests affected so as not to hamper unfairly a system which is economically beneficial in many ways. In the case of wireless sets alone it is estimated that some 70 per cent, of the trade is done on hire-purchase agreements. 1