PARLIAMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3613, 28 October 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

j THE HOUSING BILL. I PASSED THIRD READING. WELLINGTON, Oct. 27. When the. House resumed at 7.30 the Hon. Sir Wm. Herries moved the ! second reading of the Housing j Amendment Bill: He said both landj lor ds and tenants were interested in jthe Bill, and the Government had to seep the balance between the ‘two extremes. Mr Sidey (Dunedin South) said that no attempt was made to deal with houses which' were kept vacant j awaiting sale.

Mr Holland said the main objection to the Bill was that it reflected the idea dominant in the mind of Cabinet that nothing could he done collectively without paying heavy tribute ao the money lender* Mr Harris declared that there were

such grave charges against the administration of the Housing Department that some investigation must be helc. Dr Thacker complained that women, who had to work in the houses, haa never been consulted as to conveniences and the arrangement of rooms. f Mr Hawken argued that the success of the scheme would depend not so much on the amount of money put into the‘scheme, but on the rapid turnover of the money. Mr Smith (Taranaki) said there* was a shortage of 38,721 houses? throughout the Dominion. Thirteen houses were during the lasi, six months. It was therefore quite clear tha{, there was no hope of catching up to the problem unless more energy was shown by the Housing Department. ' - At 1.40 a.m. Sir Wm, Herries replied and the Bill went into committee.

WELLINGTON, This- day. s Mr P. Fraser indicated that the Labour Party would move certain americfments. They had been accused that" • f. 9 B they- had no constructive policy but they intended to show that they had.

Clause 7 was amended sc as to limit joint ownership : of a house under the clause to two persons of the same family, and so obviate the creation of a'tenement system. : - Mr Fraser objected to clause 15, permitting a landlord to apply to a Magistrate to increase the rent. of a dwelling to 7 per cent of the capital value of the dwelling at the date of the application. Mr Mitchell pointed out that many dwellings built years ago were erecteot mucb more cheaply than {heir present value; consequently by this increase many landlords would be entitled to claim an unduly high rate of interest. Messrs Fraser and Holland ma*n-

tained that the increase meant 11 per cent, not 7 per cent,' and as such it would greatly increase the difficulties of tenants and raise the cost of living. The Hon. Herries contended that this concession to landlords was necessary to encourage the building of houses Discretionary power was given to the Magistrate who woulor prevent hardship. A division against thh clause was called for, but it was retained by 34 to 12.

Mr Mitchell moved a new clause designed to prevent owners holding houses empty for speculation, and the Minister intimated that he would have the matter looked into and have the clause re-drafted.

Mr Parry moved a new clause providing for a census of empty houses being taken, but it wag ruled out of order.

Mr Parry moved a new clause giving the Housing Board power to take over empty houses. The Minister promised to consult the Attorney-General as to the feasibility of the course suggested. ! Mr 'Fraser proposed a new clause designed to prevent owners compelling tenants desiring to rent rooms to take .the shop as well where the build-, ing is a shop-dwelling and charging extortionate rent for it. The Minister promised to give the matter his consideration.

Mr Fraser moved to insert a clause from - the British Bill defining the term “hardship.” claiming that no one should be turned out of a dwelling unless the Magistrate was satisfied there was equivalent alternative accommodation to go to. On a division being taken the clause was not inserted, the voting being 30 to 14.

Mr Praser moved a. further amendment taken from the British Act, designed to prevent speculation in houses, but it was not accepted by the Minister, and was lost on the voices. The Bill was then read a third time and passed. The House rose at 2.50 a.m.