FIREMEN RESIGN AT HAMILTON

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25638, 29 October 1948, Page 6

FIREMEN RESIGN AT HAMILTON

VOLUNTEERS REFUSE TO JOIN UNION MAXIMUM TURN-OUT CUT TO SIX MEN (P.A.) HAMILTON, October 28. Fifteen volunteer members of the Hamilton Fire Brigade handed-in their resignations to the Hamilton Fire Board at a meeting to-day. All the resignations were worded as follows: “We the undersigned tender our resignations from the Hamilton Fire Brigade as volunteer members and will hand in our equipment to the superintendent on November 30. This action is being taken as we understand we are to 'be compelled against our wishes to join the Fire Brigades Employees’ Union.” In a report to the meeting, Superintendent A. Craig said that the position that had now been created in Hamilton was most serious. The maximum turn-out strength to an alarm would be only one officer and five men. On some days one officer and only four men would be available. Such a force was totally inadequate tc deal with any emergency greater than an incipient fire, was insufficient to man more than one fire engine, and at times left only one officer and three inen for actual fire fighting. “In these circumstances,” said Mr Craig, “I cannot accept any responsibility for the results which may accrue.” The chairman (Mr T. G. Reynolds) then moved that the full facts relating to the serious position which had arisen be communicated to Mrs Hilda Ross and Mr A. C. Baxter, the Parliamentary representatives of the fire district, with a request that the strongest possible representations be made to the Government to take urgent’ and immediate measures which would enable an adequate fire protection service to be maintained for the citizeri? of Hamilton and adjacent areas. “We will be faced with the position that we cannot adequately protect the city and the superintendent has advised us that he cannot continue to accept the responsibility of the protection service when these men leave,” said Mr Reynolds. “The responsibility now must be placed on the Government.” The motion was carried as was one moved by Mr H. D. Caro that the volunteer firemen be asked to delay resignations until the Arbitration Court had made an announcement.