Volunteer Firemen Will Brook No Unionism

Chronicle (Levin), 5 November 1948, Page 3

Volunteer Firemen Will Brook No Unionism

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HAMILTON, Nov. 4. The volunteer memhers of the. Hamilton Fire Brigade have decided to adhere to their previous decision to resign and hand in all their equipment on Novemher 30 unless some action is taken to preverit them heing forced to join the Firemen's Union. This decision was reached at a meeting of volunteers when a resolution moved by the Mayor of Hamilton, Mr. H. X). Caro, at a meeting of the Hamilton Fire Board which received , the resignations, that the men.be requested to delay their contemplated action, was considered. The men fully considered the resolution which vhad been adopted unanimously 'by the Fire Boafd and recognised that their resignations would leave not only Hamilton City but also several national undertakings almost completely nnprotected from. the dahger of fire. However,-the men were" fitm in their views that there had beep. too mnch irritation caused.hy certain/ union officials and the matter had bden delayed far too long now for them to carry oiit their volunteer. work pn the same hasis any lopger. * ' / They dehnitely .stated that after November 30.they .'-would not be- -available as volunteer firemen unless the threat to make them join the union were removed. The men said that nothing that oceurred sinee they handed in the resignations, would justify them changing their minds and delay the resignations, thus perpetuating the present position. It was also pointed out by the volunteers that they were not the only fire brigade in New Zealand affected and .in" fairness to other brigades, now that they had mafie up their minds ' and Hamilton was likely to be a test ease, they could not ohange their attitude.