FAIR RENTS ACT

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22517, 27 September 1938, Page 15

FAIR RENTS ACT

TO THB EDITOR O* THE PRESS. Sir, —In conversation with a staunch Labour supporter, I referred to the unfairness of the Fair Rents Act restrictions, stating that in our case we were receiving, as absentee owners, 23s a week over a period of years for a South Island property (fairly central to the city and seaside). The tenant, representing a family of three occupants, is in residence. The house is of nine large rooms, has electric hot water service, garage, and other modern conveniences, was recently painted and underwent further costly renovations, up-to-date. The rents of this and another property barely cover the yearly cost of rates, interest, insurance, and agents' commission. The staunch Labour supporter friend said: "Yes. And you are lucky to get that -much. Why should you be privileged (as a class) to own a property, or properties?" Perhaps, the Labour Government will present this loyal supporter with one of its State houses, as a birthday present free of charge, freehold. My fattier has worked all his life by the sweat of his brow in his effort to own a home, yet, according to my Labour supporter friend, he is not entitled to own his freehold property.—Yours, etc., A SHOCK. Auckland, September 21, 1938.