“A SCAPEGOAT’

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20507, 25 May 1938, Page 9

“A SCAPEGOAT’

FIREMEN INDIGNANT AWARD NOT BLAMEWORTHY MEN WILLING TO ATTEND ißj Telcgrapb.—press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday Strong exception to reference by the chairmen of the Christchurch Fire Board, Mr T. M. Charters, to the effect of award provisions on the attendance of men at yesterday’s big city Are is voiced by members of the Chrlstchuroh Fire Brigade Union. At the conclusion of a special meeting of the union to-day a statement was issued on behalf of the men, in which resentment was expressed at Mr Charters’ remarks. The statement asked that cn inquiry should be held and said that the union would welcome such an inquiry. “Mr Charters' statement that the provisions of the fire brigade award made it impossible to call out an extra halfdozen men is a gross misstatement of facts," reads the statement. 'The provisions of the award with regard to the calling out of men are exactly the same in their intention and actual meaning as that signed by Mr Charters himself in March, 1935. "Close scrutiny and comparison with the present award," runs the statement, "will show' any fair-minded person that the actual calling out of the men by those in control of the fire brigade is not in any way impeded by the provisions of the award. Voluntary Attendance "The following instances are cited: On the occasion of the Are on May 14 flve men on day leave were ordered to turn out. One man on the way home from theatre duty, who was on day leave, voluntarily went to the Are and remained until the Are was put out. In the Arc at Macduffs all the stations with the exception of Woolston were turned out and in view of Mr Charters’ statement that other men were required we are compelled to ask the reason why Woolston was not asked to attend the Are? Why also were four men remaining at the central station not requested to put in an apJ pearance at the Are as we are informed that they were willing and waiting for Instructions from the superintendent? Willing to Serve “We are further informed that no Instructions regarding these four men were left with the officer in charge of the station. “It Is well understood by all firemen who take on brigade duty that they must be at the service of the authorities at all hours and on all possible occasions In the Interests of the community. **As evidence of this spirit and willingness to serve, one man who was on ; half-yearly leave voluntarily approached the superintendent and was accepted for work at Macduffs’ Are. Three men at the central station who were ordinarily to have a day’s leave on the day of the Are voluntarily placed themselves under the orders of the superintendent. "There Is nothing in the award to prevent the men being called on at any time. We feel that a mere recitation j of the above facts is sufficient to show , the public of Christchurch the spirit and willingness of the men on such occasions. Letters of Appreciation "Within the last three months," con- ! tifiues the statement, "three men have voluntarily left the board’s services! and their places have not yet been Ailed. From time to time letters of appreciation of the board to the men for their work at Ares have been placed on notice boards, yet when a scapegoat is required the spokesman for the board without hesitation or scruples blames provisions of the award that could easily have been prevented. "The statement issued by Mr Charters has made brigademen highly indignant. The men did not credit that Mr Charters would let such a statement as he made appear under his name." The Fire Board at a meeting yesterday passed a resolution congratulating Superintendent Morrison and the staff on their work at the Are.

INQUIRY AUTHORISED

INSPECTOR TO INVESTIGATE (By Telegraph.—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH. Tuesday Commenting on the statement of Mr Charters regarding the Christchurch Are. the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, said instructions had been given the Inspector of Fire Brigades. Mr R. Girling Butcher, to visit Christchurch to investigate the position represented by Mr Charters. BRIGADES TOO SMALL KEPT AT A MINIMUM (By Telegraph—Pre*» Association) WELLINGTON. Tuesday Ilepljlng to the statement that it was due to the provisions of the Are brigadesmen’s award that sufficient Bremen were not available to cope with the Are at Christcfturch yesterday morning, Mr L. Glover, secretary of the Fire Brigadesmen’s National Federation, said ft was a strange fact that, although there had been awards In existence for many years providing for holiday leave, this was the Arst occasion when failure to cope with a Are had been attributed to the award provisions. "The truth appears to be that fire brigade staffs are kept at a minimum, and are not sufficient to cope with the ordinary dangers of Are. and grossly insufficient to cope with in) major emrrarency." said Mr Glover. "Had a disaster like the Napier earthquake and Are visited Christchurch, how could 50 men. the full staff, hope to cope with the danger? "Every Are brigadesman in New Zealand takes his job seriously. He Is ever ready and willing, whether on leave or not, to hasten to obey a sum-

mons when required. It is gross libel f on such a splendid body of men to assert that, because of the provisions of an award, they were not willing to act in an emergency, when, in fact, they were anxious to do so.’*