FEWER FIREWORKS

Hokitika Guardian, 12 March 1930, Page 8

FEWER FIREWORKS

REST! CTIONS ON USE.

DECISION OF CABINET.

WELLINGTON, March B’. Cabinet lias decided to prohibit the purchase of fireworks by c-hii-dren and to permit the sale of them to adults only in cases whore the police are satisfied as to the suitability of the places for the displays and the adequacy of the precautions against accident. A statement on the subject was mad,.- by the Minister of Justice (lion. Sir Thomas Sidey) as- follows:

"In consequence of a number of serious accidents which occurred with revr lrlfs. hist Nov eml her, , inquiries were made by the Police and Explosives Departments into the circumstances attending these accidents. Hie Commissioner of Police subsequently isued a public notification that fireworks were; deemed to be explosives for the purposes of the Arms Act, and could therefore only lie sold by licensed persons and under permit from the police. The fire,works dealers, win were in doubt as to their liability under the Act, represented the matte’ to the Governmcut with a request that the- position (be cleared up. LARGE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS "A conference on the matter win hold between the Hoi. P. A. dr- If Perrolle and myself. Reports from the Departments administering t,V Arms and Explosives Acts were considered, and it was found that much larger number of accidents bat occurred than’was generally realised and that some of these wore of a very serious nature. Tn one case a chib lost a hand and the sight, of one eve while the other eye was permanently injured. "The matter was therefore referred to Cabinet, and the Government has now decided to confirm the restrictions imposed i.y tne Arms Act with respect to all nreworks. In injure fireworks may only be sold subject to permits issued ny the police. These permits will only be issuer where the police are satisfied that t/u. fireworks will (be vised under propel control and with adequate safeguards for public safety. *"j n-s practical effect of this decision will be that fireworks may not in future bo purchased by children, and even adults will be required at satisfy the police that displays will .be given only in suitable places and witn adequate precautions to prevent accident.

CARELESS USE

“At first sight this action appeared to be unduly restrictive. The inquiries made 'by the technical officers, however, show that practically ail of the accidents which have occurred during the past few years were due to the improper or careles use. of fireworks. t\o controlling regulations short of severe restrictions would be effective in preventing this class of accident, and the only way of meeting the position is to confine the sale o|f fireworks to responsible persons. In addition to this accident hazard .thqrc is also the serious fire risk from fireworks to be considered. During • the past few months both Departments concerned have received a large volume of correspondence regarding iireworks and the general opinion expressed is strongly in favour of the action now taken.

EXIT GUV FAWKES’S DAY!

“I think,” added Sir Thomas' Sidey, “that in view of the possibility of serious accidents such as that quoted mast parents will agree with the Government’s decision. There will douldles be much protest from the small boy deprived of his ‘Guy Fawkes’s’ celebrations, but under modern conditions, where tiro wireless and the picture shows bring daily and hourly entertainment to the voune:, the deprivation will be much less felt than in years past when the fireworks season was looked forward to by children as one of the few treats of the year.”