FIREMEN ON "STRIKE."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20098, 8 November 1928, Page 12

FIREMEN ON "STRIKE."

WAIHI BRIGADE DISPUTE. EFFORTS FOR SETTLEMENT. [ 11Y TEr.EGR.VrjI.—OWN COItRKSI'ONnKN I. ] WAIHL Wednesday. The volunteer firemen who went on "strike" three weeks ago as a protest against the appointment by the Waihi I* ire Board of Mr. S. Shcrgold as deputysuperintendent, held a round-table conference. with the board last evening, with a view to arriving at a settlement of the difference. Members of the board present were the chairman, Mr. E. Morgan, and Mr. W. Ellerington, Government representative, both of Waihi, and Mr. 11. V. Trcgar (Auckland). Messrs. W. Skegg (Auckland), and S. 11. Walmsley (Waihi) were unavoidably absent.

Speaking on behalf of the firemen, Mr. I!. Walsh claimed that a volunteer brigade which had nothing to gain from its .services to the town was surely the best qualified to judge which officers should control it. lie coii>idered the most easy solution of the difficulty would be for Mr. Nhcrgold to resign his position, although thev did not want him to leave the brigade. There were other firemen whose records of service rnoro qualified them for the position. If Mr. Shergold were to resign or undertake to do so at the next quarterly meeting of the board in December, the discontented fiielren would at once resume duty and the town would again be efficiently protected. Air. Shcrgold, however, said he was appointed by the board and to the board he would leave tho matter of what should be done.

Mr. EUerington also asked Mr. Sliergold Li resign in the best interests of Ine town and the brigade. The chairman stated that the 'three members present could not undertake to make any recommendation and that there would have to bo a full meeting of tho board before anything definite could be done.

On the suggestion of Mr. EUerington the men eventually agreed to do their best to attend fires in the meantime and lo allow Shergold <o think matters over. They were given tho assurance of members of the board present that their claims would receive every consideration at tho December meeting.