VOLUNTEER FIREMEN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 73, 23 February 1938, Page 15

VOLUNTEER FIREMEN

(MEMBERSHIP OF UNIONS. STRONG OPPOSITION. Per Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, Feb. 22. The Dominion conference of the United Fire Brigades’ Association, at New Plymouth this mornin, set its face definitely against any attempt to force volunteer or part-time firemen into a union. Very strong efforts are to be made to combat moves in this direction, which it is considered would cause serious friction in the service. After hearing the statements of the representatives of the brigades concerned the . conference was satisfied that the adherence of at. least some of the individual members of the brigades was obtained by misrepresentation of the facts. The conference called attention to the danger of the unionisation of the national service, such as fire brigades. In the event of an industrial disturbance a syspathetio strike in the Fire Brigades’ Union might place not only property but life in jeopardy. The conference requested the support of the Municipal Conference, to be held next week at New Plymouth. Its views are to be placed before the Premier, the Internal Minister, and the Minister of Labour, and the Government is to be requested that, if necessary, special legislation be introduced to provide for the exclusion of volunteer firemen, as defined bv the conference, from the provision of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act.