FIRE BRIGADES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17428, 15 March 1917, Page 2

FIRE BRIGADES.

| THE VOLUNTARY SYSTEM. j [Fkoh Outs CoßH.xsroNDr.NT.] i DUNEDIN, March 14. The Ministor of Internal Affairs, the Hon G. \V. Russell, addressed the liramen's Conference at Balclutha to-day. g It was a carious fact, lie said, that there were only twenty-four Fire Boards 3 throughoui ; New • Zealand, •. altliougli I there were over iUOO boroughs with a population of over 1000. Under thopresent law Fire Boards were subsidised by the Government as well as by .municipalities and insurance companies, but he considered that the Government were not paying enough, and he intended to recommend that a further sum be placed on the Estimates as a direct subsidy, m addition to present contributions. Ae regards volunteer Fire Brigades, the only way would lie to try to simplify the Fire Board system, in order to induce brigades to He said he would like to know why the firemen objected tcfFifo. .Boards, and whether they had a proper backing for tlieir objections. He would suggest that the association should hold a special sitting at an early date to discuss a' proposed amendment' in the Act to compel insurance companies to contribute a fair share to brigades. Captain Watts (Newmarket Brigade) explained that many brigades objected to losing their volunteer status. In reply, the Minister said the problem was how best to maintain the voluntary 'system side by side with a paid system under Fire Boards, but he thought, if con’d be dons, and lie would endeavour to do it.