COST OF LIVING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 April 1942, Page 4

COST OF LIVING

THE HOUSING PROBLEM STABILISATION OF RENTS. LABOUR PARTY DECISIONS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Housing conditions and the cost of living were discussed by the annual conference of the New Zealand Labour Party last night, and remits urging stabilisation and investigation in these matters were approved. The work of the Price Tribunal was outlined by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr Sullivan, and the housing situation was dealt with by the Minister of Public Works. Mr Armstrong. Recommendations included an investigation into the price of fish, the appointment where practical of women inspectors to work in conjunction with the Price Tribunal, and the establishment of a committee to report on price fixation and the cost of living.

The stabilisation of house rents on the basis of one day’s pay for a weekly rental was approved in principle, but was considered impracticable at present. The amendment of the Fair Rents Act to apply to all rental dwellings and regulations to prevent overcrowding of buildings on small sections were approved. The refusal of landlords to let houses to tenants with children is to be referred to the Government for consideration. The removal of restrictions on the sale of liquor to Maoris to give equality with the pakeha was being discussed when the conference adjourned last night. It is expected that the conference will finish about noon today.