VOLUNTEER FIREMEN RESIGN AS PROTEST AGAINST UNIONISM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26915, 29 October 1948, Page 4

VOLUNTEER FIREMEN RESIGN AS PROTEST AGAINST UNIONISM

P.A. . HAMILTON, Oct. 28. Fifteen volunteer members of the Hamilton Fire Brigade handed in their resignations to the Hamilton Fire Board at its meeting to-day. All the resignations stated: “ We, the undersigned, tender our resignations from the Hamilton Fire Brigade as volunteer members and will hand in our equipment to the superintendent on November 30. This action is being taken as we understand we are to be compelled against our wishes to join the Fire Brigades Employees’ Union.”

In his report to the meeting, Superintendent A. Craig said that the position that had now been created in, Hamilton was a most serious one inasmuch as the maximum turn-out strength to an alarm would be only one officer and five men. On some days one officer and only four men would be available. Such a force was totally inadequate to deal with any emergency greater than an incipient fire. It was insufficient to man more than one fire engine and at times left only one officer and three men for actual fire-fighting purposes “ Under these circumstances,’* said Superintendent Craig, “ I cannot accept any responsibility for results which may accrue.” The chairman, Mr T. G. Reynolds, then moved that the full facts relating to the serious position which had arisen be communicated to Mrs

Hilda Hoss and Mr A. C. Baxter, the parliamentary representatives of the fire district, with the request that the strongest possible representations be made to the Government to take urgent and immediate measures which would enable an adequate fire protection service to be maintained for the citizens of Hamilton and the adjacent areas. “We will be faced with the position that we ‘cannot adequately protect the city, and the superintendent has advised us that he cannot continue to accept the responsibility of a protection service when these men depart,” added Mr Reynolds. “The responsibility- now must be placed on the Government.” The resolution was carried, as was one proposed by Mr H. D. Caro that the volunteer firemen be requested to delay their resignations until the Arbitration Court makes its announcement.