N.S. WALES POLITICS

Otago Witness, Issue 3101, 20 August 1913, Page 25

N.S. WALES POLITICS

SYDNEY. August 14. The Legislative Assembly had an allnight sitting on various Bills. The proceedings were punctuated by several miniature scenes.

During the discussion on the Local Option Bill Mr Meehan entered the Chamber carrying a pot of beer, which he presented to Mr Lonsdale, who is on ardent temperance supporter. Mr Lonsdale, upper-cutting, sent the liquor flying in all directions

The Chairman of Committees ordered the removal of Mr Meehan, but the latter, anticipating the arrival of the Sergeant-at-arms, fled from the Chamber.

FAIR RENTS BILL. SY'DNEY, August 15In the Assembly Mr Griffith introduced a Fair Rents Bill, which proposes to establish a court for fixing the rentals of houses whereof the rents are 30s weekly

or less, in cases where objection is raised by the tenant or landlord. The Governj. ment’s other proposal is the construction of a residential suburb like Daceyville by providing money cheaply for building purposes, with the repayments spread over a long period. Mr Griffith explained that the court would be a very simple tribunal, and would not cost the applicants a penny. The tenant’s claim would be submitted, and the landlord would have the fullest opportunity to reply. The Registrar would have the assistance of expert valuers, and the capital value of the land would be the full value plus the value of the land on the rate books of the municipality. A great many of these valuations were at present unreliable. After the .first year, however, there would be conclusive evidence regarding the capital value.

A member inquired whether the magistrate’s determination would be final. Mr Griffith’s only reply was that information would be sent to the magistrates from the landlord, the tenant, and the experts. Another Member : “ Will there be any obligation upon the landlord to take tenants at the rent fixed by the court?” Mr Griffith: “The landlord must not exceed the rent fixed by the court, which must not fix a return* on the capital outlay greater than 10 per cent. —namely, 7J, per cent, net, and an additional 2g per cent, gross.” During the debate a member asked : “ Was not a person borrowing money on mortgage entitled to a fair return?” Mr Griffith : “ Yes; we have fixed the rate at lg per cent, above the mortgage rate.”

The closure was applied by 34 to 26; then the main question was agreed to by 34 to 27, and the second reading w r as fixed for next sitting day.

ATTACK ON SIR W. CULLEN

SYDNEY, August 15.

Mr Holman moved that Mr Willis’s minute attacking the Lieutenant-governor (Sir William Cullen) be expunged from the records. He explained that the Government had agreed to the printing of the document under a misapprehension. The motion was agreed to without dissent.