RIGHTS OF MORTGAGORS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23364, 2 December 1937, Page 12

RIGHTS OF MORTGAGORS

THE REHABILITATION ACT AMENDING LEGISLATION (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Dec. 1. Further amendments to the Mortgagors and Lessees Rehabilitation Act were introduced by Governor-General s Message in the House of Representatives to-night. These took the form of amendments to the Mortgagors and Lessees Rehabilitation Amendment Bill now before the House. “It is provided in the principal Act that adjustable debts are reduced on a date to be specified in the order” said the Attorney-general (Mr H. G. R. Mason) when explaining the amendments. “ Some of the orders have not specified the date, and one clause in the Bill rectifies that position. Only specified debts are deemed to be discharged, and it is provided in another clause that where a debt has been concealed and the creditor has had no opportunity of making representations no order can be made in respect of that debt." Another clause dealt with the power to vary certain orders under which rates were paid, the Minister continued. It had been made fairly clear from a recent decision of the Court of Review that some of its previous decisions with respect to the liability for rates were not in accordance with the Act. Although it was not expressed in that wav. the clause really gave the right of appeal in cases where the liability for arrears of rates was concerned. Another clause, the Minister added, provided for a review of the liability of guarantor who had lost his rights against the applicant for an adjustment.