The Feilding Star. Oroua & Kiwitea Counties Gazette. Published Daily. THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 1894. THE FIRE BRIGADE BILL.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 345, 21 June 1894, Page 2

The Feilding Star. Oroua & Kiwitea Counties Gazette. Published Daily. THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 1894. THE FIRE BRIGADE BILL.

TnE Bill for the compulsory maintenance of Fire Brigades to be introduced to Parliament at the instance of the United Fire Brigades' Association, some particulars of which we published yesterday, on the face of it looks of a somewhat arbitrary character. The measure is to apply to every municipality and town in the colony, and will give power, to somebody or other, to collect contributions in equal thirds from the ratepayers, the insurunce companies and the Government. This means that every ratepayer who has [ insurod his property will have to pay an additional municipal rate, a higher rate of Insurance because it is not likely the companies will lose the chance thus givon them to increase their charges, and in addition to this his burdens as a colonial taxpayer are to be increased. We quite understand it will be argued that with efficient Fire Brigades, well kept and well paid, tho rates of insurance which now obtain would be lowered. We do not think that is a thing likely to happen under the circumstances It is proposed to ask the Government to take charge of the Bill, and as, did the measure become law, it would enable the Cabinet to indulge in their pre dominant passion for appointing inspectors, we fxpect it will find much favor in their eyes We will have more to siy on the subject when the full text of the Bill is before v?.