FIRE BRIGADES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3773, 6 July 1926, Page 72

FIRE BRIGADES.

WELLINGTON. July 1. The Fire Brigades Bill which was introduced to-day is a consolidating and amending measure. It is the same as the Bill introduced last session. The Hon. Mr Bollard said that it had been sent to the Fire Boards of the Dominion and had come back from them with certain suggestions, some of which had been adopted. With regard to assisting fire boards in connection with the firemen’s annual conference, Mr Bollard said the Government would do something. It would give assistance to firemen, but was not increasing it. Mr J. A. Nash suggested that the Government should do something to allow fire boards to finance through Government institutions. That was a most important thing. At the present time the boards had to make other arrangements. Provision should be made to avoid unnecessary trouble to fire boards in connection with the raising of loans. Mr Bollard said the hon. member had brought that matter under his notice, and the Government was considering it. A lengthy new clause in the Bill deals with the disqualifications in connection with the appointment of members of fire boards. Among the disqualified are aliens, persons of unsound mind, convicted persons and persona interested in contracts with a board. Elections are to take place in February in every alternate year. Contributions from the Consolidated Fund are to be made as follows:—Wellington £4OO, Auckland. Christchurch c and Dunedin £3OO, districts with a population of more than 50,000 £3OO, and so on in a graduated scale down to £SO. Boards may establish sinking funds for the repayment, of loans and gratuities or pensions on the retirement of officers’ fund.