DOMINION FIRE FIGHTERS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18961, 11 March 1936, Page 5

DOMINION FIRE FIGHTERS

LEGISLATION REQUESTED

iTHEATRE-SMOKING BAN

SUPERANNUATION SCHEME

(Per Press Association.) HASTINGS, this tlav. Fire brigadesmen numbering 125, representatives.of 145 fire brigades throughout New Zealand have been engaged at Hastings in discussing affairs concerning the United Fire Brigades’ Association. The conference is being presided over by Superintendent H. E, Follas, of Devonport. Prior ,to the commencement of formal business yesterday the delegates took the 'opportunity of congratulating Air. B. C. bobbins, of Tauranga, upon his appointment as a, member of the Legislative Council, Air. Bobbins being a past president of the association. Air. ltobbins, who was present at the meeting, assured the delegates that he would continue to do all he could for the service.

The question of smoking in dance halls, particularly those in country districts, wa3 discussed by the delegates. It was suggested that smoking in theatres and halls should be prohibited by law and not be merely a matter for by-laws. The executive is to make representa- : tions that the. suggestion be embodied in an act.

SAFETY CAMPAIGNS

The executive is also to approach the Minister with a suggestion that the act be amended making it compulsory for fire hoards to institute superannuation funds, and that the amount payable be raised' from £250 to £SOO. It was suggested that the association take over the fire prevention campaigns which are organised from time to time. It was eventually decided that the execptive should investigate the position and the Underwriters’ Association and the Government with a view to coming to some amicable arrangement whereby the campaigns would be the responsibility of the association.

An invitation was extended for the next demonstration and conference of the association to be held at Nelson. It was pointed out that the last demonstration had cost £2OOO, and it would be impossible for the association to stage another next year unless the Government (restored the privileges which the association enjoyed a few years ago. . Election of officees

The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Supt. A. Craig (Hamilton); senior vice-president, Supt. •A. J. Bennett (Nelson); junior vicepresident, ' Supt. J. A. Chambers (Wai.pukurau)-; treasurer, Secretary •C. A. Osborne (Onehunga). The past president, Mr. J. J. Salmon, of Dunedin, is to present gold service stars to the following: Captain R. Sinclair (Islington) Department Superintendent T. O’Brien (Dannevirke), Captain J. K. AlcKey (Boss), Secretary B. AlcDonagh (Westport), Firemen Wv F. Keith (Hastings), T. livin' (Mosgiel),, and E. Butcher (Palmerston North).

The following officers of the New Zealand Fire Brigades Members’ Institute were elected President, Superintendent W. L. .Wilson (Auckland City) ; vice-presidents, Superintendent H. E. Folks (Devonport), Superintendent A. Graig (Hamilton), Acting-superintendent R. H. Price (Dunedin), and Superintendent C. A. Woolley (Wellington); executive council, Superintendent T. Anderson (Rotorua), Superintendent P. Deare (Greymouth), Superintendent J. W. ;Kano (Gisborne), Superintendent A. Morrison (Hawera), Superintendent C. W. Tyler (Rangiora), and Deputy-super-intendent H. J. Price (Hastings) ; treasurer, Secretary C. A. Osborne (Uriehunga); secretary, Captain T. J. Watts; scientific committee, Superintendents C. A. Woolley, W. L. Wilson, H. E.. Follas, and A. Craig, and Secretary Osborne.