IMMIGRANTS’ QUARTERS ON ARAWA

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 53, 26 November 1926, Page 11

IMMIGRANTS’ QUARTERS ON ARAWA

CHORUS OF COMPLAINTS Dominion Special. Auckland, November 25. A chorus of complaints was made by some of the big batch of immigrants which arrived by the steamer Arawa this morning from Liverpool, and the opinion was expressed in pointed terms that the arrangements made for the carrying of the immigrant portion of the passengesr left a lot to be desired. One of the new arrivals said that part of the ship where thev were located was cramped, smelly, and overcrowded, and that arrangements for washing and sanitation were inadequate. Among the passengers was an Australian, who said that much better provision was made by the Commonwealth Government Line of steamers for the conveyance of immigrants, and he considered that it was tiie duty of the New Zealand Government to see that some improvement was effected. From a look round the Arawa tins morningc one gathered thuat the stern end of the ship below’ decks could scarcely be described as a floating palace,” the internal arrangements certainly being on very plain and homely lines.

In a comparatively ' small, spaceu cabins were formed by partitions that did not reach quite to the roof, and six bunks were arranged round the sides in the approved above and below sea fashion. Immigrants complained that the bunks were narrow and uncomfortable. But it was on the score of congestion that they had the mst unfavourable comment to make. One of the new arrivals had evidently taken a humorous view of the matter, but he added that it was a bit disquieting when out of five room mates four snored loudly in various keys, while the other had the habit of whistling in his sleep. In regard to food supplies on board, passengers considered that it wasu good in quality, despite the fact that the menu was monotonous. But the cooking was not highly praised. On the other hand immigrants speak in glowing terms of the work of the officers and stewards, and say that one and all did their best to make the voyage pleasant.