EIRE BOARDS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 227, 24 August 1938, Page 6

EIRE BOARDS.

AMALGAMATION DEBATED. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Aug. 23. The possible amalgamation of lire boards with municipal authorities was discussed before the Select Committee on the Local Government Amalgamation Schemes Bill, this morning. Amalgamation was opposed by the Fire and Accident Underwriters’ Association, but was approved, with certain safeguards, by the Municipal Association. Mr R. Caughley, for the former, said: “We are not expressing any opinion on the general question of amalgamation, but are concerned at the possibility of fife boards being amalgamated with local bodies and, therefore, request that fire boards be deleted from the definition of local authority in the Bill.” Mr Caughley said the boards had been established to obtain greater efficiency than when the brigades were controlled by local bodies. Insurance representatives would be lost, and efficiency would decline. The questions put to Mr Caughley largely related to life and safety as distinct from the saving of property, but Mr Caughley thought the companies placed life before property. Naturally, they wanted to save the property they insured, and they considered the existing control good. They admitted that amalgamation might be helpful in some smalPcentres. Local bodies should be entirely responsible for the building by-laws. Mr J. W. Munro, M.P.: Was not one of the reasons for setting up fire boards the inability of the local bodies to keep up their equipment? Mr Caughley said that was the posi-

tion in placing the municipal attitude. Mr Andrews, the Mayor ol Lower Hutt, agreed that the fire boards had helped to keep the local authorities up to scratch, and tbit lent force to the suggestion that those interested should have representation on the advisory committees.