FUTURE OF E.F.S.

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 65, 11 December 1943, Page 8

FUTURE OF E.F.S.

Wellington Arrangements

An outline of the future operations of the Emergency Fire Service in AA ellmgton was given to the AVellington line Board yesterday by the superintendent, Air C. A. Woolley. He said that, following the next parade, divisional officers would arrange for three monthly musters, when rolls aud equipment would be checked. Officers were to make their reports to the Director of National Service. All matters of routine were to, be referred to the office of the National Service Department. Any personnel seeking discharge for any valid reason must applv to his divisional officer. Where release wore granted, uniforms were to be handed in. , . , One clause in the report touched upon a union matter. It said: “'1 he district commander is issuing instructions to Jhe divisions mentioned that till the present union difficulty is settled, E.F.S. members are to be instructed not to attend civil fires, for they would not be covered 'by insurance iu any form would be classed as ordinary civilians. On a settlement being reached with the union and subject to a satisfactory system ot siren alarms being arranged, particulars regarding calls would be published in the Press for the information of members. Mr. S. S. Dean, as chairman of the board, paid a tribute to the E.b .S membership, from the time it had. at the request of the Government, been called into existence. He spoke in high terms of the way in which these men had tackled the work comprised in the training of E.F.S. units, and perfected themselves in the handling of equipment, and had made themselves tit iu other ways, sometimes at great personal inconvenience. Mr. Dean moved that the board express its appreciation of the excellent service which had been rendered by the E.F.S. in a time of emergency. One dissentient, at first, was Mr. L. Glover, who expressed his of the administration of the E.F.S. “from Air. Girling Butcher down,” and also said that he had fallen out with the district commander. Mr. S. M. Kinross. When it was pointed out that the motion made no reference to the administration, but was merely a tribute to the members of the E.F.S., Mr. Glover agreed with the sentiments expressed in the motion, which was then passed unanimously.