"CONTRARY TO FACT”

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22443, 2 July 1938, Page 14

"CONTRARY TO FACT”

STATEMENT ON CITY FIRE

MR ARCHER REPLIES TO . MR CHARTERS

EFFECT OF FIREMEK*S AWARD

Answering the statement by Mr T. M. Charters (chairman of the Christchurch Fire Board), published yesterday, in which he reaffirmed the original statement he made about the effect of the awrard on the presence of “leave” firemen at the fire at Macduffs building and the State Theatre, the Hon. J. K. Archer, M.L.C. (the Government’s representative on the board) describes Mr Charters’s first statement as “contrary to fact” and a “grave reflection on the firemen.” Mr Archer told e representative of “The Press” last evening that Mr Justice Page’s comment on the award was a personal opinion and the award was definitely against the assertions of Mr Charters, Mr Archer basing his opinion on discussions with high officials in Wellington. “An incoirect statement does not become correct by repetition.” said Mr Archer. “There is no doubt whatever that Mr Charters’s originad statement, which he reaffirmed in "The Press’ yesterday morning, was contrary to fact The report from Wellington clearly indicates that it was so and I should have thought that. In the circumstances, Mr Charters would have withdrawn it. It is a grave reflection on the firemen and it is totally unfair that it should hang over their heads. Legal Opinion “His reference to Mr Justice Page’* comment on the firemen’s award gives him no assistance,” continued Mr Archer. “I have discussed that matter with a very high official in Wellington, who asserts that, of necessity, it was Mr Justice Page’s personal opinion and is not part of the award itself, which alone decides the position. Further than that, legal opinion has been taken on the matter in Wellington and this is quite definite to the effect that all matters are governed by the award and comments of any person, however highly placed, are not decisive. The award rules the situation and upon it we have to rest, and it is definitely against the assertions of Mr Charters.” “An Offensive Statement” Mr Archer said that the only other matter upon which, at this stage, he wished to comment was that referred to by Mr Charters as coming from Mr R. Girling-Butcher. “Here are the words: "The actions of the leave men, however, in dropping off to sleep after hearing the alarm would appear to indicate the possession of a good conscience rather than an intense interest in the brigade’s operations.’ A more offensive statement than this cannot be imagined. It is as insulting to the firemen as was Mr Charters’s original assertion. By a high Government official, it never ought to have been made, and it is quite unworthy of the use to which it is being put. If the men on leave had previously been on duty and had to return to duty after a spell, the wisest thing for them to do was -to get some sleep. No fireman can efficiently do his job if he'is to be awake 24 hours a day.

“The men in question were not ordered to go on duty, and had no right to go on duty; and if they had gone on duty without orders, they would have been guilty of a breach of discipline,” said Mr Archer. “In the circumstances, the best thing for them to do was to go to bed. So far from their being unwilling or unready to assist if required, I have heard read a report from the superintendent of the fire brigade concerning the recent fire in the Crown Tailoring Company’s building, which says that every man. without exception, including the men on leave, turned out for duty as sbon as they knew that their services were required,” he concluded.

EMERGENCY CALLS

MEN WILL ANSWER W. REQUESTED

DECISION OF UNION MEETING

In the meantime, all members of the Christchurch Fire Brigade on leave will answer calls in an emergency if requested. This decision was made at the meeting of the union when Mr R. Girl in gButcher (Inspector of Fire Brigades) was .present, the secretary of the union (Mr W. H. Mathison) informed "The Press” yesterday. Mr Mathison declined to make any further comment on Mr T. M. Charters’s statement covering the position of leave men.

Mr Girling-Butcher’s report of the union meeting stated;— “The willingness of the men to turn out if required when on leave was discussed with the men at two meetings. At the first of these the view was expressed that the men bad always been ■willing to turn out if required, but when asked if there would be ary objection to a brigade order on similar lines to that in force in Wellington or the inclusion of a specific term in the award, it was stated that an assurance on this point could not be given without reference to « lull meeting of the union. This was held later in the day and was attended by representatives of the Federation of Labour. At this meeting the president refused to commit the union at the moment, stating that the question of conditions of work was now in the hands of the Federation of Fire Brigade Unions in Wellington, which was negotiating for a Dominion award, but the union wauld agree to the necessary provision being made.”