How a job famine saw a black day at South Shields.

(From Lloyds List)

Byline: The exploitation of vulnerable seafarers for political ends is nothing new, writes Nigel Green

THE morning of August 2, 1930, saw huge crowds heading for South Shields beach amid a happy family atmosphere.

Ice cream merchants, balloon-sellers and the local Punch and Judy man all joined the throng looking forward to a glorious sunny bank holiday weekend.

But down at the docks the mood was not so peaceful. The long, hot summer had served only to fuel a bitter fight for jobs among the town's native and immigrant communities.

Unemployment in the town was heading towards 14,000 four times what it is today and hundreds of Arab sailors without work were the target of hatred.

The Arabs had come to South Shields in the 19th century and were used as cheap labour on the ships, usually as …