RENT RESTRICTIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1923, Page 1

RENT RESTRICTIONS.

[BY TELEGRAI’n —PEK Pit ESS ASSOCIATION'.]

WELLINGTON". .September 27

A deputation consisting of Alt' Alonteith ALP., and Air 11. Dyson, secretary of the Storemen’s Federation, waited upon the Hon. Mr Anderson, Minister of Lal>our, with a complaint that tho Labour Department was not impartially administering the Rent Restriction Act. In the course of discussion . Air Dyson said they wish to know whether the department was taking up the attitude complained of. or whether it was being dime at the suggestion of the Minister, or his officers. In a few weeks, added Air Dyson, he would he making a tour through the Dominion in regard to the housing question. He was going up to Pieton. Blenheim, and Nelson for four days next week to deal with the problem, and he did not want to say anything about the department in his speeches which was not correct. The Minister: You are getting on to polities now! Air Dyson: Well, it is a political matter.

Mr .Montoith : An ccouunuc one also. The Alinister: "J am very sorry you are bringing politics into it. 1 thought it was a social question that you wore bringing before me. I understood you were here in ilie interests of the Rentpayers’ Association, hut apparently you are here in tlq. interests of polities. I am nut propated lo discuss the political aspect, if it is simply and solely a question of making political use of it.” Air Alnntrith: Oh no sir. there is no suggestion of that. The Alinister.• 1 am not going lo be an ammunition fin lory lei anyone who wan!- to criticise the administration of the department. Air Alontoitli said it wa.s not- proposed to make capital out of tho Minister's reply. Air Anderson ; You have put quite a dill'mout aspect on the matter in the lasi three nr four minutes. I will inquire into it. That is all I can say. The department has had instructions to carry out the law according to the Act. They iin! si do that. If i- their duty, and they always do it. Mr Alonieith: Not in this case. The Mini-tor: 1 say they carry out their work stiietl.v in accordance with

the law, and that is all I can say. because l am satisfied about that. I know the officers so well that I am quite sure 1 shall have some satisfactory explanation to make to you. If anyone has blundered I can account for it. Everything is carried.out. strictly and rmpartiallj 1 . You can make whatever use you like of this on the platform. I will look injto the matter and make a full explanation.