Anti-Eviction Bil Under Fire

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 58, 1 December 1937, Page 3

Anti-Eviction Bil Under Fire

i— ' Press Association.)

(JPPER HOUSE CRITICS "Undue Hardship on Landlords" SEVERAL PROTESTS

(By Telegr»pl

WELLINGTON, Last Night. When the Finance Bill was discussed in the Legislative Council, which met at 2.30 o'clock this afternoon, there was a considerable amount of objection to the clause amending the Fair Rents Act, .scveral councillors arguing that. the provision was unduly hard on landlords. Hon. V. A. Ward said he did not think the clause had been given suffieient consideration in the House. It appeared to him that the clause wouid Lmpose undue hardshlps on landlords and affect real estate business in a detrimental way. Hon. J. Alexander said he wauted to protest against further interference with the rights of property owners, and added that the clause would check , house-building by private enterprise. Hon. W. W. Snodgrass said landlords were useful members of the community and the Government should have considered them as well as tenants. Hon. D. Wilson said it could not be denied there was a serious housing shortage, but that was not the fault of the present Government, which was doing its best to make good the deficiency. The provisions of the clause might be hard on landlords, but it would prevent whole families being put out on the streeti, and it would not be . necessary after the aTrears in housebuilding were overtaken. Hon. C. J. Carrington said he could rclate harrowing incidents of hardship on landlords, and considered they should receive some consideration. . Hon. W. Perry said he had dealt with the cases for both sides under the Fair Rents Act, and he considered that tho tenant was amply protected. The clause to be added was wrong in p.rinciple, and he would oppose it. The debate was adjourned. The Auckland Electric Power Board Amendment Bill was read a first time, and the Council agreed that it should bo allowed to proceed this session as if it were a public Bill. The Council adjourned at 4.30.