Fighting Fire
The reorganisation of our fire-fighting, services is now co w pleted. Mr. Morrison announced at the week-end that the 1.4 separate fire brigades that formerly existed in England Wales have been reconstituted as a National Fire Sem composed of only 33 forces, each operating under a singl command. The aim is co-ordination of effort and swift acuo —to use the fire-fighters as a disciplined army. The secon class of services, for which all men (with certain exemptions, between 18 and 6o are liable has been the subject of an en planatory memorandum. They must, under . the compulso provisions, perform duties up to a maximum of 48 hours month outside working hours, either at their place of work. in their residential areas, or both. This applies to most urb and some rural areas. Mr. Morrison, in carrying out his plan has had to face some strenuous opposition. The Fire Brigades Union complain of the length of hours worked-112 hours week and inadequate wages ; there is a case for enqui.
here. The T.U.C. have taken up the cudgels 0 behalf of the workers, especially in war-industries. But the scheme now adopted has at length won agreement from the employers, the T.U.C., and the Government. The fact has to be recognised that the work of fire-prevention has to be done, and the only men available for doing it include these vc130 are already working at full stretch.
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