“BLACKED-OUT” SIGNS

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 March 1941, Page 4

“BLACKED-OUT” SIGNS

HIRERS HAVE TO PAY RENT Position of business people who have on their premises electricallyoperated advertising signs, which have been “blacked-out” was discussed by the Wanganui-Rangitikei Electric Power Board at its monthly meeting last week. The secretary, Mr. G. A. Ammundsen, said that the board had an electric sign for which it paid 35/- rent monthly. As the use of these signs had been forbidden under the emergency regulations, he thought it would be a gracious act on the board’s part if

the board indicated that it was prepared to continue to pay for the rent of the sign. It was not the fault of the owners of the sign that it could not be used. Mr. Ammundsen said that when the same position had risen in England it had been decided that the hardship would have to remain where it fell and the New Zealand Government had apparently adopted the same attitude. If that was the case the hardship would fall on the renter of the sign, who would have to continue to pay. Many business people were pay-

ing for the hire of their signs although they were no longer allowed to operate them. Mr. J. J. Scott said he did not think it was fair that a commercial firm owning the signs should continue to make a profit while the renter was bearing the loss. Mr. A. M. Ryan, Taihape, said it would be more equitable if the loss were divided between the owner and the renter of the signs. It was not the fault of the renter that he could) not carry out his part of the contract and it was certainly not the owner’s fault. ' '

Mr. Scott suggested that the board should carry out its obligations in the meantime. The mattenvould probably be tested by those who were more seriously affected. The chairman, Mr. F. Purnell: That is what will happen. It was decided to adjourn discussion till more information was available and in the meantime continue to pay the rent of the sign.