TENANTS’ TROUBLES

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1931, Page 5

TENANTS’ TROUBLES

landlord’s legal powers. WELLINGTON, April 10. Some city landlords have discovered a simple method of ejecting tenants and selling their furniture for arrears of rent, according to Mr Fraser (Wellington Central). Air Savage (Auckland West) and Mr Armstrong (Christchurch East), who put the position before the Prime Minister during the discussion in committee on the Mortgagors Relief Bill. Without taking Court proceedings, the v stated, landlords could put in a bailiff, and tenants in arrears would lose their furniture except for the usual £SO worth, clothing and effects. Mr Savage suggested that, instead of giving the landlord power to he a law to himself, the onus he placed on him io prove his case in Court. Mr Armstrong remarked that when ho first was informed that a tenant’s furniture could l>e bundled into tb° street without more formality than serving a blue paper, be declared that it f-ould not be done, but he found that it was <juite legal. Th t > Prime Minister replied that 1,0 understood that any alteration in the law would ueeij to be made in the Magistrate's Court Act. ami lie would ho pleased to look into it. The Government wished to prevent any harsh dealing. While the landlord w»s entitled to protection, they must also see that the power lie possessed was not exorcised harshly. “Tn such a s e v eiv depression, ’ he concluded. uc must all assist.”