CO129-572-10 Rent Commission 14-3-1938 - 7-6-1938 — Page 82

No. 210.

AIR MAIL.

538431

Sir,

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONG KONG,

14th March, 1938.

95

Encl. No.1.

Encls. Nos. 1 and 2.

I have the honour to inform you that during the

last fortnight there have appeared in the local press a

considerable number of letters from members of the public

complaining of extortionate increases in the rentals asked

for residential premises not covered by long leases, and in

many cases of notices to quit without the option of an

increase in rent.

2.

As a consequence I have, with the concurrence

of my Executive Council, appointed a small Commission in

the terms of the enclosed Gazette Notification.

3.

The matter of so-called "profiteering", as a

consequence of the great increase in the population of the

Colony due to the present disturbances in China, has

received the close

attention of this Government for a

considerable period, and as long ago as November 1937 this question of rentals was the subject of correspondence with the Chinese members of the Executive and Legislative Councils. I enclose copies of the letters which were then exchanged. The correspondence was laid before Legislative Council at

the meeting of 15th December, 1937.

4.

I shall not fail to keep you informed of any steps, legislative or otherwise, which I may decide to take

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

W.G.A. ORMSBY-GORF, P.C., M.P.,

2.C.

&c.,

&C.