“A Slave Market”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 397, 4 July 1928, Page 16

“A Slave Market”

CALLING LABOUR ON WATERFRONT LACK OF ACCOMMODATION "It’s like a slave market,” said Mr. T. Bloodworth, referring at yesterday’s meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board to the present accommodation for waterside workers on the waterfront. “A man mounts a platform and picks those who seem to him to have the most muscular energy in their frames,” added Mr. Bloodworth, outlining the procedure adopted when a call for labour was made. In pressing for better accommodation for the watersiders Mr. Bloodworth moved for the rescission of two motions adopted by the board, one of which deferred consideration of the proposed new building until the estimates for next year are being considered. Mr. Bloodworth said the question of the watersiders’ v/aiting-room had been under discussion ever since ne had been on the board. He considered that by virtue of having purchased land for that purpose the board was committed to providing suitable accommodation. In any other port the watersiders’ accommodation and the place where the labour was called was situated inside the wharf gates. DISGRACEFUL CONDITIONS He suggested that the necessarj' accommodation be provided by the building of an additional storey on shed No. 8 at the Central Wharf. Mr. C. G. Macindoe seconded the motion. He said the watersiders were an important unit in the efficient working of the harbour, and deserved suitable accommodation. At present he thought it was disgraceful. Mr. E. W. Inder opposed the resolution on the ground that the estimates would be brought down in another three months, and the question could better be considered then. At present the expenditure was fully committed. The motion to rescind the earlier resolution was lost on the casting vote of the deputy-chairman, Mr. H. Wynyard. A second clause in Mr. Bloodworth’s proposal, asking the engineer. Mr. D. Holderness, to prepare plans and an estimate for putting an additional storey on shed eight at the Central Wharf for submission to a meeting of the board in committee, was agreed to. In a preliminary report the engineer stated an additional storey .suitable for waterside workers’ accommodation could be added at an approximate cost of £7,800 without subdivisions or fittings, but that would materially reduce the capacity of the ground floor.