FIRE SQUABLE

Hokitika Guardian, 27 May 1938, Page 5

FIRE SQUABLE

AN ALLEGATION

HON. ARCHER’S VIEWS.

(Per Press Association —Copyright). , CHRISTCHURCH, May 27. An allegation was made to-day by Hon Archer, M.L.C., that a statement issued by the Chairman of Christchurch Fire Board, Mr T. M. Charters after Monday morning’s fire was entirely different from one which members of the Board had intended he should make, and did have their approval. Hon Archer, who is a member of the Board left for Wellington after the meeting at which the fire was discussed and returned to Christchurch to-day. Of course the meeting held on Monday evening had been arranged before the fire occurred, said Mr Archer, but naturally the fire was discussed.

So far as members of the staff are concerned, .the Chairman and other members of the Board asserted they had heard remarks in the city that firemen had not done a good job. Every member expressed disapproval .of those remarks and agreed they bad done as good a job as could possibly be clone under the circumstances and that the. reason why the fire had such a disastrous result was some method of construction of the building. 1 The decision was that Mr Charters should make a statement not only exonerating the men from blame, but expressing the Board’s appreciation of their excellent work. For some inexplicable reason and certainly to my own consternation. Mr Charters came out with a screed quite definitely suggesting that the full quota of men was not available because of the operation of the award.

Mr Charters ought to h&vt known the award makes no such stipulation and. there is not a fireman in our employ who would not Jeap into action if this services/" were reunited, in cases of emergency,. Mr Charters' action looks like a bit of torified political propaganda.