IMPORTANT ISSUE

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXI, Issue 8831, 9 October 1942, Page 1

IMPORTANT ISSUE

GRAVE DISSATISFACTION FIRE BRIGADES MEET ANNUAL CONFERENCE HELD Grave dissatisfaction with the existing position in regard to military service was expressed at the 41st. annual conference of the Auckland District United Fire (Brigades’ Association, which was held in Te Aroha on Saturday evening, September 26, and was attended by delegates from over 30 'brigades from Whangarei to Te Kuiti. Superintendent P. Pilkington (president) was in the chair, and he was supported by the vice-president, Supt. Stuart (Tauranga). Among the delegates were the following: G. Stewart (Matamata), immediate past president, Supt. F. P. Wilton (Thames), Treasurer C. A. Osborne (Onehunga)', and Secretary T. J. Watts (Newmarket). His Worship the Mayor and Mr C. A. Arthur represented the local Fire Board.

Apologies were received from Mr J. Thorn, M.P., Mr B. C. Robbins, M.L.C., President H. L. Warner, and the executive of the United Fire Boards’ Association.

Although the conference disassociated itself with a statement recently made to the effect that the Emergency Fire Service was more important than the Army, it made the recommendation that, in view of the serious depletion of the personnel of fire brigades, immediate steps should ■be taken to have the Fire Service declared an essential industry. Numbers Depleted

The pre-war strength of the 163 brigades affiliated with the association was 2819, of whom 893 were engaged in the Armed Forces of the Dominion. To date 22 members had made the supreme sacrifice.

It was decided to draw the attention of the Government to the unfair discrimination 'being made in regard to the issuing of equipment to auxiliary firemen as compared with the Emergency Fire Service. It was the considered opinion of the conference that the established fire brigades and their auxiliaries should definitely take precedence over the Emergency Fire Service in all matters pertaining to fire prevention, protection and extinction. The United Fire -Board executive is being asked to take immediate action.

Executive’s Report

The executive’s report was read as follows: —

“It is with deep regret that we have to record the passing of many of our old comrades, in addition to nine younger members who have given their lives in the cause of freedom. Those who made the supreme sacrifice were:—Ex-Firemain A, Chadderton (Mt. Roskill), Firemen N. B. Chissell (Whangarei), J. B. Clifford (Te Awamutu), S. Harrison (Auckland), N. G. Perkins (Te Puke), F. ST. Robertson (Auckland), E. E. Rob-

inson (Waikohe), C. A. Walker (To Aroha) and I. R. White (Mt. Eden). “The following are the names of our other departed comrades. —ExFiremen S. F. Alexander (Thames), Fireman C. S. Banks (Henderson), ex-Capt. J. Crickett (Te Aroha), Dep. Supt. E. U. Griffin (Thames), Foreman 'II. J. iPearce (Northcote and Waiuku), ex-Supt. J. H. Miller (Devonport), ex-Fireman E. Moore (Auckland), Fireman T. Prior (Onehunga), Dept. Supt. F. E. Rogers (Raetihi), ex-Lieut. H. I. Spinks (Paeroa), exFireman G. Ryan (Te Aroha) and exFireman A. Young (Onehunga). The Roll “The number of brigades affiliated is 30, the same as last year. With the formation of new brigades, the number of brigades in the Auckland Province is now 54, those brigade's not affiliated being Coromandel, Henderson, Hikurangi, Howick, Kaikohe, Kaitaia, Kawakawa, Manurewa, Moerewa F. Works, Mt. Maunganui, Ngongotaha, Rangitaiki Plains, Wa’pa State Mill, Waitemata Brewery and Wellsford. .Balance Sheet This shows:—Receipts (including a balance from last year of £7O 19s lOd) Subscriptions £27 Bs, subsidy from U.F.B.A. £ls, competition entries £ll l'Bs, bank interest £2 5s lid to have been £127 11s 9d. , Expenditure totalled £99 Is 6d, the main items being: Subsidy to Thames demonstration £SO, competition entries paid to Thames Brigade £ll 18s; champion medals £5 'Bs; travelling expenses £4 4s; secretary £2l, sundries £6 11s 6d. The secretary had had an enormous amount of extra work this year, and the donation was increased as a recognition.

“This left our credit balance at £29 10s 3d. When it is realised how this association assists brigades with their conference and demonstrations our position is quite satisfactory. Our fees are the lowest of any sub-asso-ciation in the Dominion, and no other assists their brigades to the extent that we do with subsidies and entrance fees.

“The correspondence, as is usual in demonstration years, was much heavier than usual, but was of the ordinary routine nature. Roll of Honour

“Out of a total pre-war strength of 2831 members the 163 brigades of the U.F.B.A. have contributed to date 881 members to the armed forces of the Dominion, and 22 members have given their lives for the cause of humanity and freedom. The totals for the Auckland province are, prewar strength 860, in. armed forces 311, made supreme sacrifice 9. From the above figures it will be readily recognised that the Fire Service has faithfully played its part in the defence of the country. “The heavy constant drain on our members is making the task of brigades increasingly difficult to maintain efficiency and it is greatly to be regretted that the effects of the U.F.B.A. executive to stabilise the position have not so far been successful, but the matter is still-being- discussed with the authorities in an en-

--- " - I deavour to arrive at some uniformity. “There is a definite tendency in some quarters to place the Emergency Fire Service as more important than the established brigades of the Dominion, and appeals for this branch are supported, by some people who state that firemen should not be appealed for. The fallacy of this contention must be obvious to all right-thinking people. Demonstration “This was carried out at the Thames on Easter Saturday, April 12, 1941, and a most successful demonstration ably carried out by the Thames Brigade and an excellent set of officials. Seventy-three teams from s 13 (brigades competed in the six events, j and the demonstration was got over j in good time. The championship j shield was won by the Thames Brig- j ade in 48i points, Te Aroha being runners-up with 44 points. The Bre- i reton Shield was won by Whakatane with 32 points, Te Aroha being run-ners-up with 28 points. ; “We are greatly indebted to the Thames Brigade for the successful carrying out of the demonstration and also for their great hospitality.” Election of Officers The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Supt. A. Stew- < art (Tauranga); senior vice-presi- j dent, Supt. G. Stewart (Matamata); j junior vice-president, Foreman T. R. j Ileighway (Onehunga); treasurer, C. I A. Osborne (Onehunga)|; secretary, , T. J. Watts (Newmarket); auditors, | Messrs T. H. (Hollingworth and J. A. j Gray (Greenlane); trustees, Supt. H. Follis (Devonport) and Foreman H. j Moore (Mt. Eden). The visitors were then entertained by the members of the local brigade to supper, which was greatly appreciated by all present. e