WHARF RESTAURANTS

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 23, 21 October 1921, Page 7

WHARF RESTAURANTS

NEEDS OF THE WORKERS WELLINGTON’S EXPERIMENT > The provision of meal kitchens and rooms on the wharves for the convenience of waterside employees was | discussed by tho Harbours Association’s Conference yesterday. i Mr. IT. I). Bennett (Wellington) moved that tho Government be asked to so amend tho Harbours Act ns to empower harbour boards, •if desired, to provide, erect, and equip and administer meal kitchens find waiting Tooms for the general use and convenience of waterside employees, and that power be given to allot rent or lease such rooms to waterfront employees without putting the lease up to auction or calling tenders. He said that this matter was one that , would further engage the attention of boards in the future. It involved a ‘most important question, and that was the preservation of good relationship between the mon and the boards. Ho did not know whether other boards haS made a similar experiment to that of the Wellington Board in establishing a. restaurant on the wharf. The Wellington Board had* approached the matter with n good deal of diffidence, but he was pleased to bo able to say the move had been a success. The board had provided the necessary equipment, but had taken no part in tho running of the business. It was managed by a committee of the union, -who let the rooms to one of their number, who supplied l the meals. This was found to be a groat advantage, for the men could get their meals alongside their work. The scheme had met with the approval of the whole of the waterside workers.

Captain McCarthy (Wellington) said that previous to tho establishment .of this restaurant the men knocked off before time as they could not get home and back in the time allowed. Mr. W. A. Veitch, M.P., thought the motion should be extended to include all harbour board employees. Mr. Bellringer (New Plymouth) agreed with Mr. Veitch. He thought the motion should be widened. Mr. T. S. Weston, solicitor to the board, said that the term “waterside worker” would include the board’s employees and prevent outsiders, using the restaurant.

The chairman, Mr. J. G. Harkness, said that it Ind been an honest attempt to grapple, with the position in Wellington. Many of the workers lived a great distance from tho wharf and they could now get their meals close to their work—a fact that was much appreciated. The remit was carried.

Mr. L. Glover, a member of the deputation from the Waterside Workers’ Union which waited oh the conference, dealt with this matter, and pointed out that some of the men had to go long distances to get their meals, and an hour was hardly sufficient. Others had their meals in the city, but the restauiantkecpers reduced the quality by 50 per cent, owing to the increased trade. Since the opening of the restaurant on the Wellington wharves tho price of meals at certain restaurants the men used to patronise previously had dropped and the quality had improved. They wanted the principle of restaurants as commenced by the Wellington Harbour Board extended to every harbour in New Zealand. The Wellington Harbour Board’s restaurant and' baths on the wharves, were greatly appreciated. The union wanted a restaurant, baths, and suitable waiting shed at Auckland. At New Plymouth a proper shed was also required, while the conveniences there were a disgrace. At Wh aka tone thero were no conveniences at all. Tho accommodation at Lyttelton was not all that could bo desired'. If the boards wanted the work done efficiently tho men should receive consideration. Good conditions would attract a tetter class of worker to the wharves.

Mr. W. Bellringer (New Plymouth) said that his board had invariably consulted'. the waterside workers regarding their requirements, and only a month ago had received a letter expressing appreciation of what the board had done for them. The position, therefore, was not as had been stated.