FIRE PREVENTION IN WAR

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23352, 11 June 1941, Page 6

FIRE PREVENTION IN WAR

+—r~ AVOIDANCE OF LOSS OF GOODS The need for more thorough prevention of fire, particularly where imported goods are stored, was stressed by speakers, at a meeting of the Christchurch Fire Board last evening. It was stated that the preservation of goods from overseas was as much a war-time service as any other war-time activity. Mr J. D. Carey said that he was impressed by the large quantity of goods, valued at about £30,000, which were destroyed in a recent Auckland fire, not by the fire itself but in efforts to prevent an outbreak in a higher storey in the same building. “The goods were groceries,’’ he said, “and New Zealand can ill afford to lose that quantity at a time when imports are cut down and there is a likelihood of still further restrictions on shipping. Much could be done by members of the board to induce warehouse owners to stack goods in a way to prevent disaster of this sort." \ “I don’t think that in New Zealand enough- use is made of the world-wide service of the insurance companies who are able to give advice on this,” said Mr K. W. Robinson. “It is a free service, and will be readily given by the companies. The companies are afraid that if they give advice without being asked they will be accused of butting in, but they would welcome the opportunity of giving advice on the storage of valuable materials.” Mr Robinson suggested that the cards compiled by the brigade giving particulars of good or bad storage of goods, could be shown to the companies with the request that they keep an eye on those persons taking too little trouble,Mr S. H. Maddren said he thought property owners would welcome advice from an insurance man. He certainly would not resent it; Part of the trouble, said Mr M. J. Bussell, was perhaps that businessmen were anxious now to accumulate what stocks they could, and some might not be particularly careful how the goods were stored, or how the refuse was disposed of. , * / *1 didn't raise the question with any

idea of disturbing businessmen,”, said Mr Carey, “but in my . meanderings round the city. I have seen many anomalies in the storage of valuable goods. Often great improvement could be made simply by rearranging the storage so that access for fire fighting was improved to more dangerous goods. We should try to conserve the goods we have. It is the board’s job to do what it can; and I feel it is simply , a matter of educating the public.”