FIRE SERVICES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 133, 2 December 1937, Page 6

FIRE SERVICES

BETTER CONDITIONS

-HON. W. E. PARRY'S SPEECH

BOARD COMMENDED

Speaking at the official opening of the new Central Fire Station and Brigade headquarters yesterday afternoon, the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) stated that the erection of the station represented an important landmark in the development of the fire service of the Dominion. It was also the first major station completed since the new labour conditions in' the service came into force. The Minister, under whose Department the fire brigades come, congratulated the Wellington Fire Board on at last achieving a permanent home for its headquarters' organisation—a home which he thought should serve the needs of the city for many years to come. Mr. Parry referred to the Improved conditions for the men. "Quite recently the conditions under which the men worked, even here in Wellington, were very far from satisfactory," said the Minister. "At the old Central Fire Station, just vacated, no dwelling quarters were provided for. the married firemen. The men were able to see their families only during leave periods. The old station building was erected about 1900, and was designed to house eight men. When the changeover took place last week there was a total staff of 33 in occupation. The new conditions fully justified the remark made by his Worship the Mayor, when he inspected the station in 1932, that he would be sorry to put any body of men under his employment under such living conditions. This position has, of course, been recognised by the Fire Board practically since its inception. It must'be admitted that the board has not been altogether responsible for the delay which has taken place in remedying the position. INCREASED LEAVE. "When the present Government introduced the principle of the 40-hour week it was recognised that this could not be applied to the fire service. However, the Government decided that the firebrigadesmen. should have an increase of their leave periods corresponding as nearly as practicable to the increased leisure given in other industries under the 40-hour week. A conference of representatives of fire boards met in Wellington under the chairmanship of Mr. Nelson, chairman of the Wellington Board. I wish, on behalf of the Government, to recognise the spirit in which the Government proposals were met. Under t*e continuous duty system in operation in all the New Zealand brigades, the men are required to remain on the station twenty-four hours a day during duty periods. It was agreed at the conference that both the day leave and the annual leave should be increased. The men are now on leave on one day in four, and, in addition, receive four weeks' extended leave every six months. These improved conditions were brought into force by the fiie boards throughout the country without waiting for the making of fresh agreements under the Arbitration Act. It was also recognised at the conference that if the existing duty system was to be continued, it was essential feat dwelling quarters should be provided for all married men. With the completion of the new Central Station the Wellington Fire Board has now reached the stage that quarters are provided at the station for the whole of the married staff, with the exception of one or two recently-married firemen. The board is also to be congratulated on the fact that this accommodation, without being unduly luxurious, is comparable with that provided for any other section of the community. The board has recognised that satisfactory work can only be expected from a contented staff. Under the conditions now existing the Uwrd may reasonably expect, not only loyal service, but also a high standard of discipline which is essential for fire brigade efficiency. MINISTER'S SUGGESTION. The Minister, in referring to the station building, said that he had been impressed by the fact that its situation and lay-out would enable most of the necessary training work to be carried out in the yard, and that with the wide open street available in front it would be possible to have large-scale brigade manoeuvres. He said he hoped the board would give consideration to the introduction of occasional demonstrations of its work In the public interest. The new station was ideal for traming purposes, and he thought the board should give special attention not only to the training of its own officers, but also should give what assistance was possible in the training of officers for the secondary brigades." The Minister said he understood that the total cost of the station of over £90,000 had been advanced by the State Fire Office. He agreed with departmental officers that no unnecessary expense had been incurred. Wellington City had more fire brigades and more difficult fire-fighting conditions than any other city in New Zealand. It was essential, therefore, that both the station and the organisation generally should be on a scale commensurate with the difficulties to be met, and the value of the properties to be protected. The board, it had been recognised, had built for the future as well as the present. ______^— mmm^m^^