"CARRY YOUR BAG, SIR!"

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 759, 4 September 1929, Page 18

"CARRY YOUR BAG, SIR!"

HARBOUR BOARD TO LICENSE OWN PORTERS SCALE OF APPROVED CHARGES Porters to assist passengers arriving at, or departing from, the Port of Auckland are to be licensed by the Harbour Board. Such porters will have the right to make a charge according to a scale approved by the board. Their duties will be confined to carrying luggage between taxis or carriers and the ships, and on being asked the fee by passengers shall state the charge according to the scale. Notices in large letters will be erected in conspicuous positions setting out permissible charges. Porters will be supplied by the board with peaked caps with badges, and will wear white or brown canvas aprons. “RATHER A DISGRACE” “The porterage system of the board has always been rather a disgrace to us,” said Mr. H. R. Mackenzie, who suggested that the report go back to to the sub-committee which made it for further consideration. “The manner in which we handle our passengers has not been a credit,” he said. “I do not approve of a whole lot of these old men who do not attend to their duties. The porterage system should be efficient from the time the porters put foot to the wharf, but it has been the reverse.” Mr. J. B. Johnston saw no reason why efficient men should not be engaged. Mr. T. B. Clay suggested porters should present cards bearing their name and address to passengers for convenience and protection of the public in case of disputes. The suggestion, however, was deemed superfluous. The chairman, Mr. M. H. Wynyard, said the chief cause of trouble in the past had been what had amounted almost to quarrels between taxi-men and carriers for passengers’ luggage.