VOLUNTEER FIREMEN

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 127, 23 February 1938, Page 12

VOLUNTEER FIREMEN

Conference Firmly Opposes Unionism By Telegraph—Press Association.' New Plymouth, February 22. The Dominion conference of the United Fire Brigades’ Association at New Plymouth this morning set its face definitely against any attempt to force volunteer or part-time firemen into a union. Very strong efforts are to be made to combat moves in this direction, which, it is considered, would cause serious friction in the service. After hearing the statements of .representatives of brigades concerned, the conference was satisfied that the adherence of at least some of the individual members of brigades was obtained by misrepresentation of the facts. The conference called attention to the danger of unionisation of a national service such as fire brigades. In the event of an industrial disturbance a sympathetic-Strike in a fire brigades’ union might place not only property but life in jeopardy. The conference requested the support of the municipal conference, to be held next week at New Plymouth, and its views are to oe placed before the Prime Minister, the Minister of Internal Affairs, and the Minister of Labour, and the Government is to be requested that, if necessary, special legislation be introduced to provide for the exclusion of volunteer firemen,/ as defined by the conference, from the provisions of the Industrial, Conciliation and Arbitration Act.