GROWTH OF E.F.S.

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 16, 14 October 1942, Page 3

GROWTH OF E.F.S.

Burden Of Local Bodies Claimed Unfair

Declaring that, the necessity for the Emergency Fire Service was a result of the country engaging in war, the mayor of Lower Hutt, Mr. Andrews, expressed the opinion nt a meeting of the citv council on Monday night that the cost of it should l>e charged against the whole country. The subject came under discussion when a proposal by the Dominion Fire Controller, Air. R. Girlnig-Biitcher, that tlie number of E.F.S. men billeted in part of the city be increased was before the council. . The existence of the E.B.fe. in Lower Hutt and its extension to its present size had been made necessary by developments consequential ou the war, said Mr. Andrews. The ratepayers were having to pay heavier rates for lire fighting, but the council did not receive additional hnnncial contributions as a result, ot the war developments. Ibe ratepayers had not asked that those developments take place. It was not fair that some local bodies should have to pay tor the Ik. while other local bodies escaped. Mr. Andrews said also that the council had spent. £875 in subsidy on an air-iaid shelter for the employees of a factory that paid £570 iu rates, and had spent £2-13 on a shelter nt a factory that paid £O3 in rates. He contrasted the facts that the local body made a contribution to tlie sustenance of E.F.S. meu in billets. ami that they were paid for parades with the unpaid services of members ot the Emergency. Precautions Service and the Home Guard, and said he could not help feeling that there was tt tremendous inequality of sacrifice, mid a great blunder had been made when the establishment ot the E.F.S. on the .present basis was permitted. The time had come when local bodies that were bearing an unfair share of the burden of the E.F.S. should represent to the Government that it should accept the cost: of the E.F.S. as a liability of the War Expenses Account. Crs. E. P. Hay and F. Campbell also expressed doubts at the necessity lor the extension of the E.F.S. in the city, and it was decided that a deputation to the apprimi'iale Minister should be arranged