COMMUNITY SERVICE

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

COMMUNITY SERVICE

UNPARALLELED EFFORT MR. J. W. HEENAN'S ADDRESS “I was interested lo learn that your i association is holding its 601 h. annual conference to-day and that the or-; I ganisation was formed in 1878,” said; Mr. .1. W. Heenan. Under Secretary of i the Department of Internal Affairs, 1 when speaking at the annual conference of the United Fire Brigades Association of New Zealand yesterday. “As 85 per cent of the lire brigades are voluntary brigades that 60 years, of service represents a greater length of community service in voluntary effort that cannot he paralleled in any other phase of our national life.” Firemen took up their duties first of all because they were interested in the activity but as time went on, unless they were interested in the craftsmanship side of their calling, they would pull out because there was nothing more trying than to know that one was likely to be railed on for duty at any hour of the day or night, when he saw so many 25 years’ ser- ; vice medals in the conference hall he 1 must hand it out lo the firemen that ■ they devoted a lifetime of service. The very nature of a fireman’s call- j ing demanded that he should look o,n , it in the true sporting spirit. Firemen got themselves fit for the very good work which they were doing and in ' doing so had evolved the means of becoming efficient through the true' sporting spirit. He urged every brigade lo co-operate with the Department of Internal Affairs in promotion • of the objects of the Physical Welfare Act, not o.nly in active sport but in all , those recreational activities that go to make t hat mental case which means ■ jso much to physical welfare. Grass and Scrub Fires. Mr. Heenan mentioned that the presant summer had been exceptionally dry and windy and as a consequence there had been an unusual epidemic of <Gush. grass and scrub fires. The recent fires in Victoria had shown the great ' menace of the fire hazard which was ' something more than a temporary! menace. He suggested to the fire bri-1 gades that they should educate and train the general community in theelementary methods of quelling frass I and scrub fires so that another volunteer fire fighting force would be available. These trained men could land the assistance which was now being given, hut in an unskilled capacity. In concluding, Mr. Heenan congratulated brigades on their good work during the year in protecting! life and property. j and he has come through with flying colon rs. "The question which caused so much concern at the New Plymouth conference and which has now been satisfactorily settled, was due in the j main to the efforts and good work of our genial secretary, and in having a man with such a wide knowledge of | •fire brigade matters to watch our interests, and we wish to place on record our appreciation of his services. In conclusion, we desire to point out that the wisdom of having the chief officer sign the auditor’s statement has again been bonne out this year, and the rule has been of the greatest benefit to brigades and the association secretary.” Photographs of church parade and | those taken at Central Station obtainI able Tesla Studios.*