The Marriage Quota.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20331, 14 June 1934, Page 8

The Marriage Quota.

Dear Sir, —An explanation of the " marriage quota” in last evenings Star, as applied to the Christchurch Fire Brigade is somewhat misleading, so I would ask you to kindlv publish this correction. Of the

29 members in the headquarters station, accommodation is provided for ten married men only, including five officers. The remaining nineteen men live in single quarters and form the “ mess.” Now, until recently the only qualifications necessary for a fireman to apply for a house allowance were three years’ good service and the superintendent’s recommendation to the board, but owing to some reason or other a late order from the board to the brigade members limited the house allowance of £l, less tax, to ten members only, together with some special qualification, or members must have passed the fire engineers’ examination, either of New Zealand or Great Britain. From now on you can see that if any more qualified members wish to marry thev are free to do so, minus the board’s house allowance. The members who at present form the " marriage quota ” have to live at the station as single men and see their homes only on their day off. I trust that the difference between “ accommodation provided ” and " allowance ” is now apparent to your readers.—l am, etc.. SEMPER PARATUS.