HOUSING BILL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16261, 30 October 1920, Page 13

HOUSING BILL.

PASSED BY COUNCIL. THE RENT RESTRICTION CLAUSE. (Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, October 29* In the Legislative Council this afternoon Sir hroncis Bell moved tho second reading of the Housing Bill, outlining briefly tho, main provisions of the measure: Ho said au important amendment was to bo made to tho clause which empowered a magistrate to increase the standard rent so as to allow net income of 7 per cent on capital value. • The clause, as it appeared-, in tho Bill, spoke of the capital value as existing to-day, but it should have been the capital value as at August. 3, 1914. Rent restriction, ho reminded members, applied only to tenancies existing at the outbreak of tho. war. Tho Hon W. J. Gcddis said it was unfortunate that it was not generally known that rent restrictions did not apply to new buildings. The Hon O. Samuel regretted that there was no provision to moot the requirements''of harbour boards. air Francis' Bell: I think that is intended jn some other Act. . added that, considering tile difficulties tho : Bill was nn admirable one. . ’ J Ro Hon M. Cohen urged tho Minister to find some way of assisting la r n*? ollr to house employees. i ho Hon J. Barr said that local bodies seemed not to he doing anything under the Act. They contented themselves with passing resolutions calling on the Government to do the work. It: "7 ukl better if the English plan wan adopted and more responsibility thrown on local authorities., The latter, for a start, should take a census of the re* qiiirements of their, own districts. 1 no extending of assistance to utility societies was a'chance for unions to show that they were something more than political associations. The Hon E. W. Alison welcomed the now provisions regarding rent restrictions, which had been too harsh in tlio past. I ho Hon TT L, Michel, while supporting the Bill, said he did not think that, the measure would do any egeat good. ’ r '- The Hon P. J. Ncrhcnv said'the Bill was a step in (he right direction, though ho was doubtful about it carrying out all it promised. Ho thought

the clause governing rent of room# 1 might be harmful. The real remedial lay in oac}i man <nrniiiff ]i|a OWn boUMkf . Jsir William &JU ones thought ‘cue' I Bill provided all machinery m ffliy'ifL I tlio Government could provide ii tm * I that was, useless unless labour . . Vtu \ 1 available. j " The Bill was committed and amende®') as outlined by Sir Francis Bell mg the second reading. j 'Jlio Bill was reported and re*dv,<r third time. ~