WAGES AND RENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21244, 27 January 1931, Page 6

WAGES AND RENT.

TO THE EDXTOB. Sißj—l notice the general outcry seems to be to reduce wages and shun the moratorium. Surely the rates of interest and rents of houses, shops, and offices should also come down. There are dozens of shopkeepers and other business people who are not paying expenses, although they are paying wages to other people. When things vvere running smoothly and a lease expired, the usual procedure was for the landlord to send along a valuer paid by himself, and up went the rent. This has been going on for years, and advantage has been taken of people who have worked up a small business or whose plant is expensive to shift. Now, in common fairness, if there is any such thing, it is surely up to these owners and mortgagees to try and nurse these people who have stood to them in the past. A reduced rent is much | better than an empty shop or flat. I ! would suggest that if the landlords and 1 mortgagees do not adopt a reasonable attitude, a fighting fund of a few shilI lings per tenant be collected, and a pubI lie meeting called to force the issue beI fore the Bankruptcy Court becomes overburdened with work. One bankruptcy makes many. There are plenty of tenants and mortgagors who will see this crisis through if fairly treated, but immediate

action in necessary. I do not propose a strike of tenants and mortgagors, but would willingly pay my share to see the matter upon on a proper footing. I understand that one or two owners have already made a reduction, but they are few and far between, and it seems that only proper organisation or Government intervention will be necessary to steady things up. Australia has reduced wages, but is immediately tackling the rent and interest problem. There is no use people with money aggravating the position as it will only tend to drive the great majority of moderately inejined people into the ranks of the extremists. Would it be possible to form a local board representative of both interests, and adjust each case amicably on its merits, and thus show- tlje world an example?—l am, etc. “Young N.Z." Dunedin, January 26. .