FIRE BRIGADE INSULTED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17630, 21 May 1919, Page 8

FIRE BRIGADE INSULTED

BETOBNIJD SOOCDLEBS' THXHJGHTs MBS AOTXM.

LOCAL ASSOGfATTON EXPKKSSES TUmtwr. ? 'A TOBTtithdte <nmptomife regartHnp behaviour of oertaan returned soidiess on the ocoasdon of tie retain of drafts to Duaedin was received at the meeting of the Ooturned Soldiers' Amooiatioa last night. The secretary read the following letter, rtsceived from Mr A. G. 'Napier (EsnpeEmteodent of the Kre Brigade):— "I deeply regret that owing-to tfe rather foolish ooodoob of oorfcain men in mufti, ■who have the privilege to wear the honoured Anzae badge, I bare reluctantly given orders that in future no demonstration will ' be made by VtSw Fire Bcigad» to the 1® turning soldttzs. £o& my officers and my. eelf, and I am sure I can speak far my other ratings, regret very much that we can, seemingly, no longer 'welcome oar returned men without risk of insult." In the coarse of a discussion of the letter, several members spoke in highly . appreciative terms of the splendid work done by the brigade in welcoming- returning drafts, and expressed deep regret that the incidents complained of should have occurred. The secretary (Mr G. M. Smith) said that 3ie bad spoken to Mr Napier, ■who stated th&t men wearing the association badge had insulted both himself n.-n/t his men, by applying to them suoh terms as "shirker/' eto. ■v One or two returned; men of the brigade had also had such terms applied to them. On one occasion a flag with the blue Maltese Cross upon it was exhibited, and some returned soldiers, evidently taking t.hia for an Iron Cross, endeavoured to haul it down. There wore no men in the brigade who had not either been on active service or been rejected for service. Mr Smith added . that since the complaint had been received the brigade had still carried on» with its welcomes to returning troops, and he understood that it was prepared to carry on an f ,,s ire, but it desired thai the association , orclcl do its best to prevent the ' firemen from insult on these occasions. Mr C. L. Calvert said ■ that the matter

was a serious one. The brigade gave a \ splendid reception to retanring drafts, and ; waa entitled to the gratitude of all re- • turned men. The aeooeiation could not deny tho allegations, and could only express regret. In a large body like the - association, it -was difficult to prevent thoujshflesa oondnct on the part of a few members, although if thoy coald be iderrtif . fied lie association woirid be ready to take action.

• The opinion -was expressed that the brigade would be folly justified in placing offenders in this direction in the hands of the police. It was decided to send_ a letter to Saper-

intendent Napier expressive of regret. A motion -was carried ttnanhooosly expressing grateful appreciation of the work of the brigade in affording a reception to returning drafts.