Call For Inquiry Into Fire Board

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30026, 10 January 1963, Page 8

Call For Inquiry Into Fire Board

(New Zealcnd Press Association)

WELLINGTON, January 9. Calling on the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Gotz) to hold an immediate inquiry into the administration of the Wellington Fire Board, the secretary of the Wellington Fire Brigadesmen’s Union (Mr T. M. Hill) tonight claimed the brigade had insufficient men to deal with “a major holocaust.”

Mr Hill said that because of dissatisfaction with the brigade's administration, more than 20 men had left the brigade recently in spite of the fact that conditions ostensibly were better than they had ever been. He charged some members of the Wellington Fire Board with being “anti-union and anti-award.” Some time ago, after a series of differences between the board and the union, Mr Hill called for a public inquiry and received the backing of the Federation of Labour. Tonight Mr Hill said the inquiry was now an urgent necessity before the present board was reconstituted in February. He was making the state-

ment as any fireman making a statement risked instant dismissal, he said. “Wellington citizens have been fortunate with the present weather, for if a major holocaust broke out we would have insufficient men to protect lives and property.” said Mr HiU. Though there had been demands for industrial action, the firemen recognised their responsibility, refused to be provoked, and would pin their faith on a complete inquiry into the administration. “I am prepared to go before any inquiry or tribunal and substantiate the charges I tun making,” said Mr Hill. The chairman of the Wellington Fire Board (Mr W. H. Nankervis) was not available tonight for comments