There are 11,200 volunteer firefighters in New Zealand. Why is there a need? Would they not prefer to be paid? Government must be over the moon, saving them about $50 million a year.

Do some regard the Fire Service as some type of sport like rugby? How many jobs are lost with such a ridiculous situation? In Canada volunteer firefighters get $30 an hour while on duty. Our firefighters would not want that, right?

We have volunteers working for charity – that's wonderful. When did the Fire Service become a charity? Surely the Police, Fire Service, St John Ambulance are all essential services, as in most English-speaking countries? Or will they try and use charity money, as the government does, to pay St John Ambulance, but send $1 billion plus to countries such as Papua New Guinea who order 40 Maserati cars – a good use of aid money, of course. We all want one.

Any volunteers in Parliament? MPs would say ‘who would be stupid enough to work for the Government for nothing?' I know a fireman who does just that.

R Chamberlain, Otumoetai.