FIRE BRIGADES

Southland Times, Issue 18859, 26 June 1920, Page 11

FIRE BRIGADES

BIGGER SUBSIDY DESIRED. The question of an increased Government subsidy for fire brigade funds was brought before, the Hou. G. J. Anderson (Minister for Internal Affairs) on Saturday by a deputation from the United Fire Brigades Association. The Association, stated Mr T. J. Watts, had now a membership of 2000 men, distributed over 140 brigades, and, with the exception of about 33, all were volunteers. They received at present either £3OO or £4OO, the larger sum being given for the years in which demonstrations- were held; but difficulty was experienced in getting the right type of men for the brigades, and he urged that some further inducement should be offered. The association was anxious to reinstate the demonstrations, which had been discontinued during the war. They- had approached the insurance companies in regard to the matter, but the companies would have to communicate with their head offices before they could do anything. Mr Anderson, in replying, complimented the Association on its splendid war-service record. Applications for subsidies, he stated, were being received from all sorts of societies, all organised for laudable objects, and it would be necessary for the Government to lay down a definite policy with regard to these grants. He greatly appreciated the services that the volunteer fire brigade men were rendering to the community-, and he trusted that the insurance companies would also see their way to grant them financial assistance. He could not give a definite answer as yet, but he would submit their representations to Cabinet and advise them later as to the Cabinet’s decision.