IMPORTANCE OF E.P.S. WORK

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 189, 8 May 1941, Page 10

IMPORTANCE OF E.P.S. WORK

Mr. Nash Praises Petone

FIRE BRIGADE’S JUBILEE REUNION

Petone had the soundest Emergency Precautions Scheme in New Zealand, said the Minister of Finance. Mr. Nash, last night when replying, us M.P. for the district, to the toast of Parliament at the jubilee reunion of the Petone Eire Brigade. More than 250 firemen, ek-firemeu and friends were present. There was still room everywhere for improvement in E’.P.S. work. Mr. Nash added. It was necessary to get ready now, as the organization beforehand would determine the success of the scheme when the time of testing caine.. In England there were 5000 women’ in the Emergency Fire Service and 9000 doing part-time E.P.S. work. He spoke of the heart and soul.of the Motherland, over which there could be no victory. He said he believed that there would be darker .days and harder times before the sun shone through, and that there would be a hard task in rebuilding after the war. "The greatest thing we can do.” ■he said, ‘-‘is to live up to the inspiration of the Homeland.” Mr. Nash mentioned that he had had a letter from Mr. G. London, mayor of Petone, from Palestine, where he had undergone a minor operation after being found unfit to go to Greece. The toast of “The Petone Fire Board” was proposed by Superintendent J. P. Gaynor, and replied to by Mr. J. O. Kerr, chairman of the board, and Messrs. Miller and Huggan, members of the board.

Mr. J. Gaynor, Junr., proposed "The United Fire-Brigades Association .of New Zealand” which was replied to by Mr. Warner, president of the association. Mr. Warner said that despite enlistments most brigades were at full strength, and as in England were being greatly reinforced by the Emergency Fire Service.

Mr. J. C. Burns, deputy mayor of I’etone, proposed “The Parliament of New Zealand,” the reply being-'b.V Mr. Nash and Mr. Combs, M.P. for Wellington Suburbs, which includes Korokoro. Mr. Burns congratulated the Government on the Emergency Precautions Scheme, and said Petone was behind it in all work for the protection of the country. Mr. Combs spoke briefly of the need to prepare for the peace, as well as to fight the war.

Messrs. Burridge, Marshall, O'Neill and Williams contributed entertaining items during the evening.