, 1916-11-18

i u II pOOS1O10 W hhh lows " pAO NOuuUIy
alone; the law says everybody is COM
PEELED; according to the Secretary it is
especially the labouring classes this law is
driving at. This is very dangerous. In
former times the people were willing to
help, they worked so well, that a compen-
sation next day was given to them.
It is unnecessary to pass this law, if the
Islands are to be transferred,
Assistance to the fire ~quelling should
not be compulsory, but voluntary. We
live in a democratic time, and under q
democratic Home Government which, [ am
sure, does not approve of these measures.
Should any evil come out of adopting this
law, then the responsibility will rest on
the Council. l am entirely against it, L
will not vote for it.
The Despatching Secretary (VM. Jacob
SEM. Government is quite aware, that the
population has been willing to give it's
assistance. But of late it has been difficult
to get the assistance, especially at the fire
at Estate "Bethlehem'. It is dangerous
for us to wait when a fire takes place.
When the hon. Member says, it is not
democratic to compel people to assist at
fire, then this measure is only an extension
of the managers duty to all. 1t is % rule
in the Mother Country; this Draft has not
been laid before the Council without the
sanction of the Ministry.
3rd Grown Member (PreHo). In answer
to the hon. Secretary I would say, that in
Europe and America fires are generally
controlled by the Insurance Companies,
and I do not see why the inhabitants OF
this Island should be forced to something
which holds good in big cities. But what
about the Draft in the Towns? In case of
fire has the Chief of the Fire Brigade q
riOh4 40 ooDna fo uOnr hnTca and Opdar
you out? If the chief is of an excited tenn
parement, this might lead to unreasonable
consequences.
LIST Member for Frederiksted Country
District (Fzemin9). AS there seems to be
many people, who do not know about
distinguishing fires, could we not get some
information, what is demanded.
The Chairman (~Stahemann). We have
at present the Colonial Law. All laws
given must be in conformity with the
Colonial Law and as long this is the case
no one can complain of the new laws, that
they are unjust.
It is incumbent on every person to give
assistance, when fire takes place. This is
not a new law. 1 have seen people of the
upper classes giving assistance at fires.
If the labourers refuse giving assistance.
then it is a danger to the whole community
every Ou0 uuSU Htlp 1Ol ulO odhO vi Us d1A'
We cannot out here complain, when we
consider, that we are free from compulsory
military service. In the Mother Country
it is far worse than here, the young men
are there taken for military service at the
age, when they are looking out for an en-
ployment and have to serve sometimes a
year or more.
1 consider this demand but a slight bur-
den, especially when this community is
exempted from the burden of taxes. l am
astonished to hear the opposition against
this Draft. In the Town it will not be
used, we all know that especially the wo-
men have always been willing to give help.
In the country it would be impossible to
have a Brand Corps, it would be too expep-
sive. We cannot let the fire burn, We must
extinguish it; as long as the people are
willing to give their help,it is all right, but
when they refuse, they must be compelled,
not alone for their own sake, but for the
sake of the whole community. I can not
see any injustice in this Draft. l would
prefer the power was laid in the hands
of the Police, that would be better than
the Brandmajor.
I will ask the hon. Member, what he will
say, if there is no one willing to give assis-