REVIVAL URGED

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 131, 30 November 1933, Page 15

REVIVAL URGED

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK

In his presidential address to the annual conference of the Institution of Fire Engineers, which concluded yesterday, Superintendent Charles C. Warner (Christchurch) referred with pleasure to the' fact that for the first time in a number of years the fire waste in New Zealand in 1932 was considerably less than in other high fire-loss countries such as the United States and Canada. One of the causes of the drop in fire-waste, which in 1932 was the lowest sinrie 1932, was the campaign inaugurated by the Government, in holding '"Fire Prevention Week" at the end of 1931. . This was.stated to bo undoubtedly one of themost important factors in effecting the reduction. ."As fire engineers, we mast feel glad to know," said Mr. Warner, "that the fire service of New Zealand has at last obliterated the unenviable reputation we possessed in having the highest fire loss ratio- per head of population of any country in the world, Nand it is to the discredit of the Government _ that 'Fire Prevention Week' was discontinued at,a time when tho 'moral hazard 1 had been strengthened by the teachings from the-fire service. Whilst those and other factors havo proved that the fire waste in this country can bo reduced, let us not relax in our combined efforts to keop tho fire service up to the highest standard of efficiency, for therein is tho foundation, and without this the ravages of uncontrolled fire will still continue."

To urge tho revival of Fire Prevention Week a deputation from the conference waited upon the Minister of Internal Affairs. Tho deputation stressed the value of such a campaign and the president quoted figures in support of tho deputation's contention. The deputation was accorded a sympathetic hearing by the Minister, who said he was much impressed by the figures quoted.