FIRE FIGHTERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 47, 25 February 1935, Page 9

FIRE FIGHTERS.

ANNUAL GATHERING.

GOVERNMENT CRITICISED.

WORK NOT RECOGNISED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) BLENHEIM, this day. Over four hundred firemen, representing 120 brigades, are in Blenheim for the annual conference of the United Fire Brigades' Association, with which is associated the first demonstration held since 1929. The conference opened this morning when the delegates were accorded a civic welcome by the Mayor, Mr. McKenzie. .

The executive's . annual report expressed disappointment at the Government's failure to accede to requests for a substantial grant towards the cost of the conference and demonstration, and stated that a letter received on the subject from the Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes, revealed a great lack of knowledge of the true position.

"The cost of the gathering to the association is £2000, and the value of the demonstration to younger brigades cannot be estimated, but the association would not have undertaken it had it not anticipated that the Government would at least have granted full privileges on the railways," the report stated. "The services rendered to the Government this last three months in fighting grass fires caused by railway engines should have been sufficient in themselves to have warranted proper recognition in some form."

The report stated that the total membership was 144. The brigades' balance of assets over liabilities was £3574 13/11, a decrease of £4 17/2. It had to be remembered that the cost of this year's conference and demonstrations had to be met, and that the finances would be severly strained to meet it.

The executive considered during the year the question of a suitable superannuation scheme for firemen, but although the opinions of prominent actuaries were ■ obtained, no sound scheme was found practicable.

The report paid a warm tribute to the work of the advisory superintendent, the fire brigade officers and members of the institute.

Regret was expressed that owing to the clashing of dates an invitation to send a New Zealand team to the Ballarat demonstration had to be declined, but it was hoped to resume the interchange of visits in the near future.