LANDLORD AND TENANT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18509, 21 March 1922, Page 2

LANDLORD AND TENANT

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER OF LABOUR. A deputation, consisting of Messrs J. Dowpey and F. M‘Kay, property holders in South Dunedin, was introduced to the Hon. G. J. Anderson Minister of Labour, last night by Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., to lay before him a statement of their position as owners of houses. Mr Downey said the weather had evidently prevented other gentlemen from attending. As the owner of several properties, he wished to complain about the present law respecting tenants. It was simply not possible for a landlord to do anything with tenants. He had tried to get people out of his houses, for the reason that they had damaged them, but he had failed—indeed, costs were given against him. The magistrate had said that if the tenant were ordered to leave it would be a hardship upon him, as he had not another house to go to. He (Mr Downey) had even found a house for a tenant whom he wanted to get out, but, notwithstanding that, he had not been able to get possession. One of his houses was in such a deplorable state that the sanitary inspector had ordered alterations, but it was not possible to make the alterations until the tenant was out. He hoped, therefore, that the Government would give assistance to property owners by abolishing the Act. The war being over, the law was no longer necessary. Mr M'Kay also addressed the Minister. The Hon. Mr Anderson, in reply, said the law about which the deputation complained was placed on the Statute Book for the protection of tenants who could not get other houses. It was possible, of course, for an owner to obtain possession of bis property if a tenant did not pay the rent, or if he destroyed premises or committed waste, or failed in other conditions of the tenancy. As a matter of fact, the present provisions were as wide as it was advisable to make them, because it must be admitted that many people were unable to-day to obtain houSos. The Government had to legislate for the whole of the dominion, and not for any particular portion of it. He could not hold out any hope at all that the Act would bo abolished. If a landlord felt he had a case against a tenant, let him take it to the court, and the magistrate would decide. i