NATIONAL CONTROL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 55, 7 March 1939, Page 8

NATIONAL CONTROL

PROPOSALS FORMULATED STRIVING FOR UNIFORMITY . FIRE COUNCIL SUGGESTED i The creation of a National Fire Council to secure uniformity of fire- ’ fighting control and even greater effi- . ciency will be discussed at the conference of the United Fire Brigades’ ' Association of New Zealand. The matter was briefly touched on at the conference yesterday by Mr. J. W. ’ Heenan, Under-Secretary of the Departmental Affairs, who discussed the matter privately last night with mem1 bers of the executive. $ There were two points on which everyone would agree, said Mr. ■ I Heenan. One was that the present system of controlling brigades through fire boards or by local bodies, though it had many advantages, was not per- ■ fed. The other was that it was essential to secure the nearest approach to perfect control as possible whatever it might be. The question of a change in the control of tire brigades was mooted at the last conference in New Plymouth and since then there had been considerable development in the proposals which were now in a form • in which they could be placed before . the Government for consideration. ’Fhe proposals had been submitted to the Council of the Fire Underwriters’ Association and lhe executive of the New Zealand Municipal Association, the bodies which controlled (he fire brigades to-day. The proposals, said Mr. Heenan, first of all aimed at uniformity as the boards at present were separate entities. There had not been uniformity of practice or anything in the shape of national control to dale although i.here was national guidance through an inspector appointed under the Fire Brigades’ Act. The general proposal was to set up a National Fire Council on which the insurance underwriters, the munici- I palities and the United Fire Brigades’ I Association would have representation. If lhe proposals were placed on the Statute Book there would be a national body appointed to secure uniformity and greater efficiency and, for the first time, the association would have representation. The general purpose of the body would be to supervise the tire services ot the Dominion. Mr. Heenan said he had been asked i)y lhe Minister to assure lhe associa- ! lion that its executive would be given I an opportunity to go through the proj posais, criticise them and make con-I struct ive suggestions before they were 1 submitted to Parliament. This was further recognition of the national significance of the organisation Mr. Heenan said he was prepared Io meet members of the executive or a sub- : i committee to go through the pro- I posais.