HIRE-PURCHASE ARREARS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 146, 5 June 1936, Page 7

HIRE-PURCHASE ARREARS

Greater Protection For Buyers

ANOTHER BILL

By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, June 4. The Rev. A. H. Nordmeyer (Govt., Oamaru) asked the Minister of Industries and Commerce in the House of Representatives to-day whether he had seen the Press Association message from Palmerston North in which it was reported that the extraordinary provision made under the hire-purchase agreements that a vendor had the right to enter at any time tho premises of a purchaser if there was default in payment, and whether he would immedi ately institute a public inquiry into the whole matter of hire-purchase agreements.

The Hon. D. G. Sullivan said that, as was indicated in the message, such provision was not enforceable at law, and anyone trying to take advantage of such provision was liable for action for unlawfully entering premises. “In consequence.” he added, “I do not think there is likely to be any extension of the practice of including this provision in hire-purchase agreements. The De partment of Industries and Commerce administers section 57 of the Chattels Transfer Act relating to customary hire-purchase agreements, and this is the first case of its kind coming within the experience of the department over a considerable number of years.

“The Government has under consid eration at the present time the question of amendment of the Chattels Transfer Act for the purpose of providing a greater measure of protection and relief to persons who are unable to continue their payments on goods purchased under the customary hire-pur-chase agreements and from whom ro possession of goods is claimed by the vendor or bailor. As soon as the feast bility of making an amendment along the lines indicated is finally determined the matter will bo fully considered by tho Government.

“In the meantime, as the Govern mont is fully aware of the position in relation to hire-purchase agreements, there doos not seem to be any necessity for a public inquiry into the whole matter.”