DOMINION AWARD FOR FIREMEN

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 147, 16 March 1940, Page 7

DOMINION AWARD FOR FIREMEN

Wellington Discussion OBJECTION BY BOARD MEMBER "Tluit the Wellington Eire Hoard favours proceedings being taken for it Dominion award for lire brigtidesmen , and that the draft claims suggested for submission from the lire boards have bad the. consideration of this board and have the board's approval." The foregoing resolution was submitted to Hie board for its approval al a meeting yesterday. Mr. L. Glover said that be was against the resolution, because the board, which was constituted to exercise full control over the brigade in connexion with boars ot etnploj ineiil ami wages, would, by the resolution, be delegating its powers to a body oil which there were representatives of the insurance companies only. That statement was denied by the chairman, Mr. S. S. Dean. .Mr. Dean said they had been trying to arrange .something for years, so that there would lie trn end to the ceaseless argument and bickering. As a matter of fact, a Dominion award was what the unions had asked for. At one time this had been opposed by the boards, but now they thought that perhaps it would be in tlie best interests of everyone. Mr. Glover .still maintained that Hie board was delegating its powers of control to a body that was not: elected, lie could not be a party to that, he said. "Why, you brought, the matter up yourself,” said the chairman to Mr. Glover. Mr. Glover: I did not bring the matter up. The first I beard of it was during the hearing of a case in Auckland. Mr. Dean reiterated that the matter had been brought up in the first instance by the men’s union (of which Mr. Glover is secretary). Objections Stated. In answer to a question by Mr. G. C. Edwards. Mr. Glover said his objections were two: He was against a Dominion award and lie objected to the Wellington Eire Board delegating its powers to the Fire Boards Association ; further, certain interests were not represented on the council of the association. It was stated that, when Hie delegates to the association were appointed by the board, Mr, Glover had made no objection. Mr. Brindle said that someone liad suggested that lie should lie one, but lie had declined; so it was rather late in the day to make such an objection. .Mr. Dean asked whether Hie association’s case was not analogous to that of the Federation of Labour, which made Dominion awards. Mr. Glover said that the case was entirely different. Mr. Brindle said'that, even now, they did not know that Hie union was against a Dominion award.

“Well, I tell you now,” said Mr. Glover. Mr. Brindle, said that there was no letter or official paper from Hie union. They wanted tilings done in a decent, orderly manner. "Do you say I am not being decent?” asked Mr. Glover. "Anyhow, I am going to move Hie resolution,” said Hie chairman. Mr. Brindle said, that perhaps it would lie better to hold it over. “I second that,” said Mr. Glover. Tlie chairman said lie would agree because it was a small meeting. He added that Hie association (of which he is chairman) was determined to go through with tlie proposal for tr Dominion award. Me again said that Mr. Glover himself liad brought forward tlie proposal. "I protest——-I” said Mr. Giover. “Well, we'll say it. was tlie union, and not Mr. Glover,” strid Mr. Brindle. Tlie motion to hold (lie matter over was carried. .Mr. Glover said to Hie chairman: "PerhajM you and I liad better have a yarn.” “I might tell you, tis chairman of tlie association,” said Mr.. Doan, “that Hie association lias decided to go through witii this, so I don’t see what a yarn witii you would effect.”