RENT DODGERS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12100, 8 July 1920, Page 5

RENT DODGERS.

MARCH ON PARLIAMENT,

(By Telegraph—“ Times” Special.) WELLINGTON, Last night.

Two thousand. Wellingtonians organised by the Rentpayers’ League, marched to Parliament from a public meeting to interview the Premier on the housing - difficulty. A brass band enlivened the march, and a good force of police participated in the Parliamentary reception, but there was no disorder. A small body ot deputationists interviewed the Premier and Sir William Hernies, Minister of Labour. They declared thatthe position was extremely bad in Wellington and serious in other' centres. They asked for an assurance of legal protection for tenants against the exorbitant rents, that evictions should be prevented, and that landlords and house agents ’be brought under the anti-profiteering law. They suggested that Trentham camp be utilised temporarily, and that the Government should say what it is doing to build houses. One speaker quoted a Wei lington case of fourteen living in one room, a widow and five children in another room having no cooking tacilities Mr Fraser. M.P.; And they are threatened with eviction! Mr Massey assured the deputation that the tenants’ protective legislation would be extended till August 31, 1921. The houses being built by the State comprised: Wellington 112, New Plymouth S’, Hawera 10, Wanganui 10, Masterton and Oamaru 8. A contract had been let for 63 in Christchurch, 11 in Wellington, 10 in Palmerston, 2 in Feilding, 24 in Wangainui, 2 in Auckland, one each in Pae roa, Levin and Napier. He anticipated that 121 would be completed within six months. Cabinet had also authorised a further 700 houses. It was spending between six and seven hundred thousand per annum, which was as much as they could find labour and material to build. A cen f t s , l f 1 200 Labour Department showed that 1200 houses were being built, showing a rate of 5000 annually, so it wouW tot b 6 ions before relief was given. Local bodies had made disapISnUng use ot the £IO.OOO per annum available to them for housing SC hi? I Fraser asked the Government to deal with the abuse of bonuses foi se curing tenancies. « . Mr W. E. Parry mentioned that in Auckland £25 bonuses were being <? - ‘“Mr Fraser also complained of landlords advertising "no child:ren^ Mr Massey replied that legisla would soon be before the House and cjiip-o-estion would be acceptable rv auarter He knew something of SSS. charge Possibly something could be done th Mr d SSy n asked how many of the 70.0 houses provided would be erected ta Mr U MaSey ? replied Auckland would have 100.