FIRE BRIGADES’ CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3466, 5 March 1912, Page 3

FIRE BRIGADES’ CONFERENCE.

SATISFACTORY POSITION DISCLOSED. Lima press association.j ROTORUA, March 4. The thirty-third annual conference of the United Fire Brigades 1 Association is being held here. Yesterday church parade was held, and the business commenced this morning. Mr. Boyes (president) was in the chair, and 114 delegates were present. The president, in his opening address, paid a tribute to the past presidents, and said that the fact that there was nothing worthy of note in fire-fighting during the year showed that they were getting into touch with their work as firemen. He could not help feeling that they owed a debt of gratitude to the Government for the assistance afforded the fire brigades. So long as they stqod shoulder to.shoulder as volunteers for the protection of life and property they would afford an object lesson to the labor unions in not seeking a selfish object, but rather the welfare of their fellows- Twenty-one gold stars were earned during last year. A sad feature about the conference was the absence of Mr. J. G. Gilberd, the grand old Wuildcr of the Association. They regretted the illness which prevented his attending- The president said the assets over' liabilities had increased from £7BO 12s 8d to £BO9 8s lid. _ One item on the balance-sheet, “Brigade subscriptions, in arrears,” should not exist. 'The amount now was double that of last- year. Tile following brigades wished to become affiliated with the Association—Cromwell, Taumaranui, and Invercargill Railway. The Hawera fire police had been disbanded. One hundred and seventeen brigades were now on.the roll. The accident insurance branch was in a satisfactory condition, being in credit to the extent of £1723. The balance-sheet showed a balance of £750 8s 3d. _ The Conference carried a remit from Invercargill that the Association should take Steps to secure exemption from compulsory military training of all firemen, whether permanent or volunteers.