CO129-572-10 Rent Commission 14-3-1938 - 7-6-1938 — Page 87

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poorer classes; and it is not unreasonable to assume that there are many other cases in which rents have been recently

raised, but that the tenants have not written to us.

5.

The termination of the Sino-Japanese conflict is

a matter of uncertainty, and there can be no doubt that the housing question in the Colony will become more and more

We acute as long as the present situation continues. therefore respectfully submit that the subject deserves

the earnest consideration of the Government.

6.

We realise that, on account of the trade depression of the past few years, rental has fallen below the economic level, and some reasonable increases may be

justified in many cases. But on the other hand we hold

the view that, in existing circumstances when vacant tenements are so few, to evict a tenant either by direct

notice to quit or by increasing his rent enormously, in

spite of his willingness to pay a reasonable increase,

cannot be justified.

7. It would, we believe, assist the Government in

arriving at a decision if the column headed "Rental 1933"

in the tabulated statement were filled in by the Assessor,

so that a comparison could be made between the existing rental and the rental obtaining during the early period of

the depression.

8. One of the signatories to this letter, Mr. M. K.

Lo, has made certain proposals in his Budget speech for

remedying the situation; and while the other three signa- tories preserve an open mind in regard to the nature of the

remedy, they venture the opinion that such proposals may form the basis for consideration.