FIRE BRIGADES’ TROUBLE

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1931, Page 5

FIRE BRIGADES’ TROUBLE

ORGANISATION LACKS FUNDS.

POSSIBLY NO CONFERENCE.

Confessing that the affairs of the New Zealand United Fire Brigades’ Association were not running too sweetly, Superintendent C. W. Tyler, of Rangiora, president of the association, expressed doubt as to whether the annual conference of brigades’ delegates would be held or not, when he addressed, on Saturday, a conference of the Canterbury Provincial Fire Brigade Association executive members and Teniuka firemen at Temuka.

Unless the travelling privileges which in the past had been accorded the brigades’ delegates but which have now all been withheld by the Government, were restored, he could not see how it would be possible for the delegates to meet. In the meantime a Dominion-wide questionnaire was being prepared by the U.F.B.A. executive for submission to members of Parliament and to candidates before next election, he told the meeting. , “All travelling expenses of delegates to the last conference, had been cut out by the Government,” Superintendent Tyler said, “but after the secretary and I had waited on the Government, the association was allowed £5OO. This, of course would not by any means cover the expenses of tho conference, with the result that a levy of £1 was made on all brigades throughout the Dominion. Now all privileges have been cut out altogether. “In addition to this the travelling pass of the advisory superintendent has been withheld. This I think is a serious matter for all brigades throughout New Zealand.

“At an executive meeting held in Wellington it was decided to place affairs concerning tho U.F.B.A. before the Government with a view to rectifying several matters and restoring conference privileges. While we received no satisfaction. the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. P. de la Pcrrelle), whom we interviewed, undertook to bring at least the subject of the advisory superintendent’s travelling pass before Cabinet. Although I have heard informally that the pass was forthcoming, the fact remains that the advisory superintendent has not received it. Should the Government not grant the pass, it would moan that £96 would have to be paid out of our already heavily depleted funds.

“I don’t think the Government has treated us well as all, and we propose to send round a questionnaire to all members before next election. This questionnaire is at present being confirmed by tho association at Auckland.

“Whether there will be an annual conference or demonstration next year or not, T don’t know. But at present I can't see how we shall be able to hold it.”