FIRE BRIGADES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22204, 6 March 1934, Page 9

FIRE BRIGADES

DOMINION CONFERENCE LACK OF OFFICIAL RECOGNITION. (Per United Press Association.) HAMILTON; March 5. With a representative gathering of over 100 firemen delegates from all parte of the Dominion, the fifty-fifth annual conference of the United Fite Brigades’ Association of New Zealand was opened to-day. Matters relative to fire fighting in the Dominion will: be discussed at the conference, which will continue until Thursday. ' The annual report states that, while the association fully!- appreciates the efforts of the Minister of Internal Affairs in respect to the grant of £SOO towards travelling expenses, it is not very satisfactory to the association to find that its many years of service to all Government departments in respect of fire protection is not receiving the recognition due. “Notwithstanding the practically unanimous recommendation from Parliament that our efforts , ihpuld receive practical recognition from Cabinet, our request is turned down.’*] adds the report. “There is something radically wrong with the attitude of the Government towards the association since 1931, and, obviously the,, greatwork done by the association iq either not being presented to the Government 1 correctly or else misrepresented, and .it behovis the conference to take measures to remedy the situation.” , ‘' • Officers for United Firt Brigades’ Association Accident Assurance . Society were elected as follows;—-President, Superintendent A. J. Bennett (Nelson); vice-presidents, Foreman H. W. James (Whangarei), and secretaryj D. J. Ferguson (Gisborne); treasurer, Secretary C. A. Osborne (Onehunga) ; ' secretary, Foreman T. J. Watts (Newmarket).