U.F.B.A. Attitude In Fire Brigade Dispute

Chronicle (Levin), 13 December 1948, Page 3

U.F.B.A. Attitude In Fire Brigade Dispute

Press Association)

(Per

AUCKLAND, Dec. 12. Exception to tlie statement by tfie Minister of Labour, Mr. MeLagan, tiiat tlie attitude of tlie United Pire Brigades ' Association in refusing to attend the conference over the volunteer firemen's dispute, was difiicult to under- f stand, was taken by Captain T. J.", Watts, secretary of the Association, today. "Our Association submitted a series 'of questions to the Secretary of Labour, Mr. Bockett, about the proposed committee and .in view of the replies received, from him, we are not in favour of a committee being appointed to determine who would come .within the definition of volunteer fireme'n, ' ' said Captain Watts. "To our question as to whether the committee 's decision would be written into the award., the secretary replied that a form of . gentlemen's agreement would be given to the eft'ect that the decision would be ineorporated in disputes at present before Coneiliation Council. We are not prepared to accept a gentlemen's agreement." Capt. Watts added that a further conference of the parties, to set up a com-; mittee, had been suggested by the Secretary of Labour but in view of the failure of similar eonferenees, the association could not see any reason for . the conference and would not agree to att'ending. v ' • .