PROPERTY OWNERS' GRIEVANCES

Evening Star, Issue 17924, 21 March 1922, Page 2

PROPERTY OWNERS' GRIEVANCES

DEPUTATION TO HON. G. J. ANDERSON. A deputation, consisting of Messrs J. Downey and K M'Kay, property holders in South Duiiedin, was introduced to the Hon. G. J. Anderson, Minister of Labor, last night by Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., to lay before liim a statement of their position as owners of houses.

Mr Downey said the weather had evidently .prevented other gentlemen from attending. As the owner of saveral properties, be wished to complain about the present law respecting tenants. It was simply not possible for a landlord to do anything with tenants. He had tried to get people out of his houses, for the reason that they had damaged them, but ho had failed—indeed, costs were given against him. The magistrate had said that if the tenant were ordered to leave it would be a hardship upon him, as he had not another house to go to. He (Mr Downey) had even found a house for a tenant whom ho wanted to get out, but, notwithstanding that, he had not been able to get possession. One of his houses was in such a deplorable steto that tho sanitary inspector had ordered alterations, but it was not possible to make tho alterations until tho tenant was out. He hoped, therefore, that tho Government would givo assistance to property owners by abolishing the Act. The war being over, the law was no longer necessary. Mr M'Kay also addressed tho Minister. The Hon. Mr Anderson, in reply, said tho law about which the deputation complained was placed on the Statute Boole for tho protection of tenants who could not get other houses. It was possible, of course, for an owner to obtain possession of his property if a tenant did not pay the rent, or if he destroyed premises or committed waste, or failed in other conditions of the. tenancy. As a matter of fact, the present, provisions wero as wide as it was advisable to make them, because it must be admitted that many people were unable to-day to obtain houses. Tho Government had to legislate for the wholo of tho Dominion, and not for any particular portion of it. He could not hold out any hope at all that tho Act would be abolished. If a landlord felt ho had a case against a tenant, let him take it to the court, and the magistrate would decide.