SHOPS EXCLUDED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23470, 6 October 1939, Page 9

SHOPS EXCLUDED

BENT RESTRICTIONS

SEVERAL LABOUR CRITICS PROTESTS AGAINST ACTION BILL FINALLY PASSED [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] "WELLINGTON, Thursday The exclusion of shops from the piovisions of the Fair Rents Amendment Bill as a result of alterations made by the Statutes Revision Committee provoked a brisk discussion when the committal of the bill was moved in the House of Representatives to-day. Ihe bill as originally drafted applied, to certain classes of shops, and severa Government members were strongly critical of the committee's action. "As one examined the bill it became apparent that it was not really adapted to the control of shop rents." said the Minister of Justice, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason. "The difference of the circumstances in the two cases a home and a place of business—was so great that it was felt at a very early stage that dissimilar conditions governed the two. There was also a grave question as to the extent to which one could usefully regulate shop rents." Mr. Lee's Objection "I realise the difficulties, but surely we are not going to allow rents to soar to the skies," said Mr. J. A. Lee (Government —Grey Lynn). "I cannot understand why we cannot try to do something for the person who is being rack rented in shops." "The country will be shocked when it realises that the clause relating to shops has been deleted from the bill," said Mr. 0. W. Boswell (Government — Bay of Islands). The Minister of Housing, the Hon. H. T. > Armstrong, pointed out that since the bill as originally drafted had been approved by the Cabinet it was really a Government decision that shops should be included. "There is no doubt about the need for this legislation," Mr. Armstrong continued. "Even with the Fair Rents Act in operation, exploitation of tenants is going on in Wellington at the present time." Rebuke to Minister Mr. F. W. Schramm (Government — Auckland East), chairman of the Statutes Revision Committee, said the committee had had a report from the Department of Industries and Commorce before it, which stated that there did not appear to be any general indication that shop rents were being increased. This was confirmed by the Department of Labour and the Price Investigation Tribunal. Mr. Schramm said he was sorry the Minister of Housing should have made the comment he did on the deletion of the clause, because he spoke without knowledge of the facts. Anybody who knew anything about the wartime regulations knew that by that means the position in different localities could be met. Mr. Armstrong: The proper wav to do it is under the bill. Mr. Schramm: I wish the Minister would keep quiet. I did not interrupt him when he spoke. I am going to put my case. The committee had spent a great deal of time on the bill, said Mr. Schramm, and could have brought in no other report. Amendment Withdrawn A further discussion on the bill and particularly the withdrawal of the provision relating to shop rents took place during the evening sitting, when an attempt was made by Mr. C. L. Carr (Government —Timaru) to add a clause enabling power to be taken by regulation to control the rents of shops and other business premises. The Minister explained, however, that tho bill was not considered a suitable vehicle for the introduction of such legislation, and Mr. Carr withdrew his amendment, remarking at the same time that he was satisfied of the Government's intention to do something, perhaps in another way, to protect shop tenants who were being hardly treated. The bill was then put through its remaining stages and passed.