PROTECTION AGAINST FIRE

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 7, 3 October 1944, Page 6

PROTECTION AGAINST FIRE

Government’s Proposals MINISTER DISCUSSES POST-WAR PLANS Eire brigade administration and the Government’s proposals for the post-war improvement of fire services were discussed by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Parry, at the opening in Wellington yesterday of the conference of the United Fire Brigades’ Association of New Zealand. “Now is the time for us to put the fire brigades of this country on the best footing possible to create a machine and organization that will give value to New Zealand,” he said. “Nothing is contemplated that is going to interfere with the status or rights of the fire brigades of this country. , , , „ “We have been through a difficult period,” added Mr. Parry. “Some people try to dismiss it with a shrug of the shoulders as of little or no importance today —now that the danger is over —and the Press has taken a good part in that, too. The only suggestion made to the recent conference of the New Zealand 1’ ire Boards’ Association in Wellington, said Mr Parry had been to consider proposals for'the future fire brigade organization of the country. They were just proposals to consider. Next morning a leading article had appeared in ’ Hie Dominion” saying that the Government was going to abolish fire .boards and smash the organization. It was no such thing. There was not a single proposal for tae abolition of fire boards. They were to remain as they were, but lots of place? in this country had no protection at all. because they were isolated and small. „ “I want to see them have, protection, said Mr. Parry, “and I think the insurance companies ought to pay for it, too. Is that the reason why the opposition is coming? I want to see the insurance companies represented and if Government property is involved I want to see it put in its contribution, too That is my own personal view.” . . There was no mention of interfering with fire brigade reorganization, but the Government considered the time had arrived when it should reduce local body organization to a minimum, and also the duplication and unnecessary expense. It believed it could do that without any further fire boards being formed, and leaving those formed where they were.' The policy of the Government was to seek the co-operation of those who actually did the work and took ’the risk. “I believe that they should .have their representation and that we should set UP a national board to deal with the small bodies in this country giving them an organization which will protect them against earthquake and flood and lire, the Minister said. He added that he knew (he work put in during the war by the fire brigadesmen. a body of men who stood by the public in times of trial and difficulty. He was going to see that tney were helped and not disrated in any shape or form, and that their status was Up l’ C l d bistribution of Equipment. “Seeing that we have to distribute £30,000 worth of equipment, I think we have reason to ask tliat it be distributed and utilized in the most efficient way, said Mr. Parry. “Surely that is not too much to ask, and you fire brigadesmen know that it is not too much to expect. An organization was wanted to discuss training and other activities. The Minister said he would suggest no compulsion. If local bodies disagreed with the board then the matter could be submitted to arbitration. “There was not a single idea ever in mv mind of interfering with fire brigadesmen or local bodies,” added Mr. Parry. “While I do my best to protect, them 1 do want to eliminate duplication and unnecessary organization. M e ought to feet that if a big earthquake took place in New Zealand we should be so able to marshal our forces that xve could concentrate the major strength of the fire brigades wherever we wanted it. The Minister said a reasonable view must be taken of reorganization after the svar —a very reasonable .view. To matte the fire protection position safe, all parts of the country had to bo brought under the wing of the fire brigadesmen of New Zealand. He hoped it was going to afford real protection to the voluntary brigades in the country, and he was not going to allow anything to interfere with the volunteers who had done such great, work in the past. They had to work together and hammer out a policv. because they could not. have the voluntary organizations smarimffi y.j ecn!Uli Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs, said the Government, with its State housing activities, was the bluest, landlord in New Zealand today, and the Minister had indicated that, ns well as the insurance companies, it should help to finance fire protection. Adequate provision had to be made to deal in emergency with floods, fire on a large scale, and'earthquakes. Brigadesmen should look at. the proposals submitted by the Government to them so that their wide knowledge and experience could be drawn on for the final scheme. .