The Rack-renters' Turn

Maoriland Worker, Volume 12, Issue 294, 18 October 1922, Page 4

The Rack-renters' Turn

"We are 10,000 houses short in New Zealand, a proof that private enterprise cannot solve the elementary problem of shelter for thousands of our people. The Government declares it can build houses at £300 per house less than private enterprise, but it will not. Consequent on the house-shortage, the rack-renters fleeced their helpless .tenants, who do not even own a home although the proud possessors of aii Empire on which the sun never sets. The rack-renters were tardily restrained by the Rent Restriction Act, screwed out" of an unwilling Government. THIS IS NOW TO GO. Having appeased the land and income taxpayers, the Massey Government intimates that the turn of 'the rack-renters has come. These gentlemen are now sharpening their claws, soon their tenants are to be delivered unto them to be stripped .without limit.. The Government has two- excuses for this villainy. It says rent restriction discourages building. This is ''bunk." The Rent Act has no application to houses built after passage into law, their owners can charge what they like—unfortunately- Then

the Government avers that no increase of rent will result from the

fcepeal of the Act. There is a contradiction ? here. If rent restriction obstructs house-building where will the increased incentive come from if no greater revenue'ls made possible by its abolition? Answer, Minister, and let us have no humbug! Land agents are not usually evangelists of Truth, but that one, who immediately following the Ministerial assurance, advertised, in shrieking repetitive, "RENTS WILL 00 UP,' ? spake.a-verity. His prediction will be fulfilled. The rackrenters , opportunity is at hand. Mr- Massey is"pampering another seclion of his pals. LABOUR MUST DOWN THE MASSEY GOVERNMENT! The Act must be re-enacted, a Housing Department must be created to build those houses at £300 less than the profiteers, and not a single immigrant must come in till we are all comfortably accommodated. How easy—if Labour will unite! -