FIRE PREVENTION WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22056, 12 March 1935, Page 15

FIRE PREVENTION WORK

DOMINION'S GOOD RECORD LOSSES CUT IN HALF As a result of fire prevention work, losses in New Zealand have been reduced by half within the past four years. This information was given in a statement last week by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Sir Alexander Young. The effectiveness of organised prevention ,ias led the authorities to continue their plan of operations. One of the main factors bringing success to the fire prevention movement, the Minister explained, had been the public's apprecintion of the great losses both the country and the individual had suffered in &*> destruction by fire of valuable residential and business properties. Evidence, he said, of the striking response to the educational and publicity work which was emphasised by the displays and demonstrations, given by the fire brigades in "Fire Prevention Week," was contained in statistics supplied by the inspector of fire brigades. In 193L —the year of the first "Firo Prevention Week"—the fire loss of tho Dominion was £1,292,094. The succeeding years showed a substantial decrease the loss for the year 1933 being £644,781, or less than half of that previously experienced. It had been decided to hold tho "Fire Prevention Week" this year from March 18 to 23. "One important result," said Sir Alexander, "of the improved position in fire wastage is that insurance premiums have been reduced. The reduction in premiums which became effective last year would have been impossible but for the reduction in firo losses. Tho cutting in half of the losses more than justifies the continuance of the fire prevention effort.

"1 have written to local authorities and fire boards requesting their cooperation yi the renewed campaign. So far as local authorities arc concerned, tho operations consist largely of ;i clean-up programme, which will also have valuable results from the point of view of public health The fire brigades are co-operating fully, and at the recent conference at Blenheim arrangements were made lor all the brigades to hold demonstrations and for tho firemen to distribute the. publicity matter which is being circulated during the 'week.' "I think all concerned," added Sir Alexander, "can be assured of an even greater success being achieved this year in tho cutting down of the Dominion's fire losses."