FIRE BRIGADE’S STRENGTH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 257, 27 September 1940, Page 6

FIRE BRIGADE’S STRENGTH.

CALLS FOR MILITARY SERVICE

MEMBERS EXPRESS CONCERN

The depletion of the strength of the Palmerston North Eire Brigade through men leaving for military service was discussed at a meeting of the Palmerston North Fire Board today.

Four men (two jiermanent and two auxiliary firemen) were going to camp, reported the superintendent (Mr P. A. Milverton), and one man k a( l been ordered to Wigram air station. Another had left, so that the brigade’s strength was reduced from 32 to 26. There was every prospect of filling the auxiliary vacancies at the moment, but lor how long it was hard to say. It would appear that steps would have to be taken to fill three vacancies on the permanent staff. It was decided to grant the men going on military service leave of absence and to congratulate them on their action, also to grant men leaving for military service full holiday pay if they have served more than half the year, and half holiday pay if they have served less. •The probability of a further shortage of men was discussed. Mr V. M. Edgar said he 'thought it should be the policy of the board to appeal if any of its firemen were called up in militarv service ballots. The strength of the "brigade was getting into a hopeless state. He did not think it would be warranted to allow further men to go to camp. The brigade had a service which needed the men to maintain it. The secretary (Mr C. V. Day) said that the time might now have arrived for the board to employ married men at the married pay allowance. It was decided to call applications lor men to' fill the vacant positions on the board’s permanent staff.