EVICTION PROTECTION

Evening Star, Issue 22891, 24 February 1938, Page 3

EVICTION PROTECTION

LEGISLATION DESIGNED FOR GOOD TENANT HR NASH DEFENDS MEASURE i [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, February 23. Emphasising that throughout the legislation protection had been restricted tp the good tenant who needs his house as a home, the Minister of Finance (Mr Nash) in an interview today had some comment to make on statements which have appeared in the newspapers to the effect that a clause in the Finance Act, 1937, protecting the tenant of a dwelling to which the Fair Rents Act applies from eviction unless suitable alternative accommodation is available is not warranted on the grounds, that adequate protection already exists. “ No one is more aware of the true position,”, the Minister said, “ than members of Parliament and Ministers who are confronted almost daily with representations and requests from those Who are threatened with eviction. Instances have occurred where owners have taken advantage of their legal right to obtain possession of houses, stating that they required them for their own personal occupation or for that of an employee merely _ for the ulterior purpose of getting rid of a tenant or putting up the rent. There had been a great deal of misstatement and misunderstanding as to the operation of the c Fair Rents Act, Mr Nash said. Throughout the ’egislation protection had been restricted to the good tenant who needed a house as a home. The sole purpose of the legislation was to prevent the kind of hardship that should, never be permitted in a civilised community—danger to the health and welfare of men, women and young children. The Fair Rents Act did not go one step beyond what was essential to stop such hardship and where there was any doubt ample power was given to magistrates to relieve the party -who was really suffering. After outlining the provisions of the Act, Mr Nash said that the Government recognised the difficulties of young people in particular who desired to purchase existing properties, but none of them would desire to start their married life by turning some other family adrift, and that was the alternative until new houses were available. _ The Minister added that the Fair Rents Act had no application whatever to new houses and could not possibly discourage or hamper new building.