POLITICAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 86, 15 August 1913, Page 5

POLITICAL.

THE N.S.W. ASSEMBLY. "A BEAR GARDEN." l'ii\ EIKCXUIC TiiLEGilAi'Jl—CoPl'lUCiliTj [.UNTIED I'REoS tfVIJ&OUIiViiOA.J Sydney, Augu&c 14. The Assembly neiu an an-mglit sit-

ting on various mils, 'ine sating was punctuated by several nunature scenes.

During the discussion on the Local Option Bill, Mr Median entered the Onamber carrying a pot of oeer, vvhicii ne presented to Mr -Loiusdale, an ardent temperance advocate. Mr .Lonsdale, upper-cuting, sent the liquor Hying in all directions.

ihe Cnairman of Committees ordered Mr Median's removal. Aleenaa, anticipating tiie arrival oi tne Sergeant-at-Arms, lied from the Chamber. FAIR RENTS BILL. , (Received 9.30 a.m.) Sydney, August 10.

In the Assembly Mr (Jninths introduced a Fair Rents Bill which proposes to establish a court for fixing rentals of houses of which tiie rents are thirty shillings weekly or less in cases vvnere objection is raised by tne tenant or landlord. The Government's other proposals include the construction or the residential suburbs of Pike and Daceyville, provision being made for cheap money for building purposes with repayments over a long period. , Mr Griffiths explained tnat the court Avould be a very simple tribunal, and would not cost the applicants a penny. On the tenants' claim, evidence would be submitted to the landlord, who would have the fullest opportunity to reply. The registrar would have the assistance of expert valuers. The capital value of the land would be the full value, plus the value at present of the land on the ratebooks of the municipality. A great many of these valuations were at present unrealised. After the first year, however, there would bo conclusive evidence regarding the capital value. Members enquired whether the magistrate's determination would be final.

Mr Griffiths' only reply was that information would be sent to the magistrate from the landlords, tenants, and experts.

Another member: Will there be an obligation'on the landlords to take in the tenant at the rent fixed? Mr Griffiths said the Court would not fix a return greater than ten per cent., namely, 1\ net, and an additional 1\ gross.

During the debate, a member asked was not the person borrowing the money on mortgage entitled to a fair return.

Mr Griffiths: Yes; we fixed the rate at \\ per cent, above the mortgage rates.

The closure was applied by thirty four-votes to twenty-six, and then the main question was agreed to by second reading wil be taken on next sitting day.

EXPUNGING A MINUTE. Mr Holman moved that Mr Willis's minute attacking the Lieutenant Governor, Sir William Cullen, be expunged from the records of the-Go-vernment who had agreed to the printing of the document under a misapprehension. The motion was agreed nem. dis. "A COURT FOR EVERYTHING." (Received 10.45 a.m.) Commenting on the Fair Rents Bill, the Herkl said there must he a court to fix the price of butter, and another to settle the cost of boots. There will be an egg court to hatchout, a soap court, a court for overcoats, macintoshes, umbrellas, and every article under the sun. The most fitting title for the Bill would be: "Every house its own law suit."

FEDERAL PALIAMENT. Melbourne, August 14. Mr Cook resumed the censure debate. He complained of the Opposition's methods of blocking business. If they intended to continue blocking it would be better that the country should know immediately. Ho traversed Mr Fisher's charges, and concluded by saying: "We are against privilege, favoritism, and preference. We are for freedom's squre deal and just relations between all members of the community."