STRONG PROTEST ENTERED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 16 October 1942, Page 2

STRONG PROTEST ENTERED

SYSTEM OF E.P.S. CONTROL | PALMERSTON NORTH RESOLUTION Palmerston N.. This Day. j “This committee enters an emphatic protest to the Government against the I present, system of control, which in i the committee’s opinion will not pro- | duce the best organisation for protect- | ing citizens in time of emergency.” The foregoing resolution was passed at a meeting of the E.P.S. committee. As a part of its fire fighting precautions to meet an emergency, the committee delegated to the city's fire brigade superintendent power to instruct business firms what fire fighting appliances should be installed in certain business houses. The superintendent ordered hose reels, but objection to their installation came in a letter the committee received from the regional commissioner. Colonel Ciochetto. who suggested that instructions given to the brigade superintendent should be withdrawn. Colonel Ciochetto also suggested that owners of buildings should not be prosecuted for failing to comply with the superintendent's requests without cirI cumstances being reported and the i consent of the regional commissioner, j Colonel Ciochetto. first being obtained j through the district controller. The Mayor. Mr Mansford, presiding, asked the committee who was best fitted to judge what was required to fight a fire. He did not intend to withdraw the authority given to the superintendent for the regional commissioner or anyone else until they could produce someone more fitted than the superintendent. Fie characterised the request as presumptuous, coming from a layman.—P.A.