RENT RESTRICTION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 705, 3 July 1929, Page 12

RENT RESTRICTION

CONTINUANCE BILL INTRODUCED PROTECTING THE TENANT (THE SUX'S Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The need of legislation to prevent landlords extracting exorbitant rents from tenants, particularly those i n city areas, was stressed iu the House of Representatives today by Mr. p Fraser (Wellington Central), i n troducing the Rent Restriction Continuance Bill, which was read a first time. Mr. Fraser explained that during the short session the present Act had been extended until August 1, but there was need for a continuance Bill as already, particularly in Welling! ton. efforts were being made to raise rents by from 5s to 7s 6d. In one case, an owner wanted If per cent on the capital value of the building and land. He asked the Minister o! Labour, the Hon. W. A. Veitch, to continue his investigations in the question, and assured him of all po 8 . sible help from the Labour members of the House. There was not only need for continuing the Act, but also there was a need for tightening it up, amending it, and consolidating it. so that people could not be victimised by landlords. The Act should have the same effect in rent as the Board of Trade iu ordinary business and commerce. He hoped that by August 1 the Minister could give the Government’s attitude on the subject. The remarks of Mr. Fraser were warmly supported by Mr. W. e. Parry (Auckland Central), who said that, notwithstanding the legislation brought in regarding workers' homes, the position was not being met in the industrial centres, where the intermittent nature of the work of many people necessitated their living in the city. More money was wanted to assist city workers to obtain homes. Mr. C. L. Carr (Timaru) supported the Bill.