STATUS OF FIREMEN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 176, 25 June 1938, Page 11

STATUS OF FIREMEN

QUESTION OF EMERGENCY CALLS AIR GIRLING BUTCHER’S REPORT - Per Press Association. . ~ WELLINGTON, June 25. The report of Mr II; Girling Butcher (Inspector of Fire Brigades), who was commissioned to inquire into certain statements made subsequent to the outbreak of ■ fire at Macduff’s and other premises ,in Christchurch, was released by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon, W. E. Parry) to-day. Air Butcher finds that the evidence available does not support the contention of the chairman of the Fire Board in liis statement to the Press that, under the terms of the award, the men cannot be called out in an emer.gency. “It is a fact that they were not ordered to turn out at any time during the course of the fire,” adds Air Butcher. “They have expressed their willingness to turn out under such conditions when on leave, and have, in fact, done so during recent years. This is only to be expected. Volunteer firemen throughout New Zealand accept the responsibility of turning out to fires at all times whether in business hours, at week-ends or holidays. Permanent; brigadesmeu who get all the benefits of tlie service can surely do no less than turn out in an emergency even though on leave.’’ Whatever merit there might be in the . chairman’s contentions regarding the unreasonable nature of the union’s recent claims the improved leave arrangements now in force did not affect the number of men available .for duty at the fire, declared Mr Butcher. The improved conditions, moreover, were the result not of any union activities, but of an agreement between the Government and the fire boards at the time when the 40-hour week legislation came into force. In accordance with this agreement the board had since met the position by an increase in staff and approximately, the same number of men were still • available for duty. ABSENCE OF MEN. Air Girling Butcher says that in his opinion the result of the fire was not seriously affected by the absence of the men on leave only seven of whom were available for duty at tlie time of the fire. Had these been ordered to the fire they would have arrived in the early stages and would have been thrown in to strengthen the attack on the fire in Alacduff’s building. His view was that to cope adequately with fires such as this a staff of at least 40 men should be available for calls at night when most jiig fires occur. AIAJOIt FIRES. The brigade records showed that on an average there were fewer than two 'fires per year that could be classed as major fires, adds Air Butciier. It, therefore, was uneconomic to provide sufficient staff to deal with such fires entirely on a permanent basis, and in all other New Zealand towns the permanent staff was supported by auxiliaries at the station, and in some cases by non-resident volunteer brigadesmeu as well. “The following table shows the position in the four centres:—

“It is understood/’ says Mr Butcher, “that in the past the permanent staff at Christchurch has raised some objection to' the employment of auxiliaries, oil the ground that they replace permanent men,” and in his discussions with the brigade there was some evidence that feeling still existed. It was evident from the figures above that the. permanent staff at Christchurch was proportionate to that in other cities and the increase since the introduction of the 40-hour week was a higher percentage than would be evident in most industries. The report vindicates the fitness of the superintendent to command the brigade.

2 .2 GJ o ci 3 a* • a 2 e i-t B cl> 2 - 3 Dunedin . £ (S -< k> H 77,040 41 12 10 69 Christchurch 92,700 50 50 Wellin’ton 116,700 62 32 • 94 Auckland 175,870 75 32 60 167