CITY LEASES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2381, 10 February 1915, Page 8

CITY LEASES

He following petition, signed by a number of shopkeepers end business men. was yesterday presented to the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) by Councillor L. M'Kenzie' "To His Worship the Mayor and City Councillors,-We .' • • shopkeepeni and business men of the City or \Vellington, sincerely ask your council to use its utmost endeavours to protect all citizens occupying and renting private properties from the unfair competition which" arises .through the low v&hies set by tho Court in ifcs awards during this last year. "The marked difference between the two sides of Lambton Quay and adjoining properties is extremely unfair, and places /us in a bad position, especially during this age wnen competition is so keen. "We do not complain so much of the rentß we have to pay, but feel that in order to protect ourselves from-the injustice that is being forced upon us by virtue of our having to rent private premises, that the City Council should afford some protection in order to prevent the small shopkeeper and business man from being crushed by the burden placed upon him, compared with his larger opponent. "The condition has becomo so acute that we find it impossible to obtain a lease of reasonable duration and are continually. faoed with increases which we claim are greatly caused by tho unjust methods now in vogue, which make so marked a difference between private and municipal ownership. "Concluding,' we suggest that the Court should be presided over by a Supreme Court Judge, end thus enable protection for tie private owner and his client."