CAUSE OF HIGH RENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18773, 29 July 1924, Page 8

CAUSE OF HIGH RENTS.

ALLEGED TIMBER " RING."

CHRI ST CHURCH AGENTS* VIEWS.

[bt telegraph.—own coreesfondent.] CHBISTCHUECH, Monday.

There was a discussion in the House of Representatives on Friday last on the Rent Restriction Bill, when Mr. T. M. Wilford alleged that the high house rents existing to-day were due to the operation of a timber "rikg." This contention was submitted to-day to several local land agents and builders. One prominent Christchurch land agent said such- was not the case. Mr. Wilford was evidently referring indirectly to the, high cost of building as being responsible for the rent rates ruling at the present time. Ir. a measure this was correct, but Mr. Wilford should remember that timber wns not the only essential in the erection of a dwelling. The price of > timber had advanced considerably on pro-war prices, but it must also be considered that th<b cost of labour had gone up. Before the war timber waa being cut by miliars in fairly accessible places but as time went on the accessible timber waa being cut out and the remaining timber required a great deal more handling as a result. Another Christchurch estate agent said rent charges were certainly high, but he did not think the cost of building was altogether responsible. A high standard of living had been attained, in the Dominion as was the case in America, ar.d this, to a certain extent, was one of tho causes. So far as building costs were concerned the actual price of timber in a dwelling waa comparatively small, but there were also increased charges for labour, bricks, iron, glass, etc., which had all increased to sach an extent as-to force building prices to remain at their present level. '