H.—ll

8

War Legislation Amendsi hxt Act. Rent-restriction. In order to prevent, increases in rent on the part of landlords on account of the abnormal conditions caused by the war, legislation was passed during the 1916 and 1917 sessions of Parliament establishing a. basis on which rents should be fixed. The provisions of the Act have had most effect in the Wellington District. Undoubtedly in Wellington City the need for legislation of this nature was greatly felt. From the Ist November, Ml I 7 (the date when Inspectors were empowered to investigate), lo the 3I si March, 1918, upwards of Iwo hundred inquiries were received in this city, and, arising out of these, 102 applications for reduction of rent were made to Inspectors. Of these applications twenty-seven were settled favourably to the applicants by the Department without recourse lo the Court ; forty-three applicants were advised they had no cause of action; twenty-four applications were tiled in the Court, seven ol' which were then settled out ol' Court by a reduction ol' rent, three were withdrawn owing to the tenants leaving the houses before the cases were heard, nine were decided in favour ol' the landlord, and live in favour of the tenant. This left eight cases still under consideration at the 31st March. There were only twenty-seven applications received by the Department in other parts of the Dominion, twelve of which were in Mastcrton. Ol' these, twenty cine applicants were advised thai they had no ground for action; in five cases the rent was reduced (four without making application to the Court), and one case was still unsettled on the 31st March. From various parts of the Dominion expressions of appreciation and approval of the legislation have been received, and it is apparent that even in those districts where no definite action is necessary it will prove to be an effective deterrent from exploitation on the part of the owners of dwelling-houses. A. number of complaints have been made (hut. the Act loses its effect to some extent by the; fact that a prospective tenant is sometimes required to pay a bonus in order to secure a dwelling. Action cannot be taken in such eases unless it is found thai the bonus is received by the owner. So far as can be ascertained the outgoing tenant is generally the recipient. Complaints have also been made thai excessive rents have been charged for dwellings in business portions of the city. In this connection section 20 of the 1917 amendment provides for a valuation by the Valuation Department ol' a dwcllinghouse "as such," but does not require the Court to base its decision on that valuation, although it shall "fake it into account." The Court has under this section accepted other expert evidence, and il may be said that experts have differed considerably in their opinions el' values. It should be pointed out also that the rates on dwellings in business areas (and in many cases fire insurance also) are higher than they would be in a, residential area; such items are fair charges lo include in (he rental. Cost of Living. Those who are interested in the statistics and figures which were formerly published monthly in the Labour Journal will find Hie information in the Monthly Abstract published by the Government Statistician. Details of the Expenditure of the Labour Department during the Year. Salaries, war bonus, temporary clerical assistance, allowances to officers performing higher duties, and allowance to police and other officers acting as departmental £ agents* ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 19,311 Advertising and publications ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 192 fares (at reduced rates), board and lodging, &c, advanced to persons proceeding to employment (see refunds of same below, £230) ... ... ... . 233 fares (proportion of) contributed by Department to persons proceeding to employment (viz., 25 percent, on railway fares) ... ... ... ... ... ... 191 Fees paid to assessors of Conciliation Councils ... ... ... ... ... 1,688 Legal and witnesses' expenses (see refunds of same below) ... ... ... ... 146 Postage, telegrams, telephones, and rent of letter-boxes ... ... ... ... 1,403 Printing and stationery ... ... ... ... .. ... ... 1,079 Office requisites, fuel and lighting ... ... ... ... ... ... 333 Travelling allowances and expenses of Inspectors, members of Arbitration Court, Conciliation Councils, <fee, bicycles and motor-cycles, and maintenance of same ... 4,302 Workers' dwellings— Administrative and travelling expenses I , , » ,• , , , 1... 412 ~. . , B .' charged tor in rents and nisi alnients , ..... I'ire insurance, rates, and repairs ... ) ( ... 1,100 Miscellaneous expenditure — £ Arbitration Court and Conciliation Councils ... ... ... ... 56 General ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 280 336 31,026 Less refunds of— Fares ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 230 Legal and witnesses' expenses ... .... ... ... 50 280 £30,746 ! .

* Exclusive of the salaries of the .Tiicll'c and members of the Court of Arbitration, £2,800, which are appropriated by special Act of Parliament.