SALE OF FIREWORKS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 November 1930, Page 6

SALE OF FIREWORKS

SAFE AND UNSAFE TYPES. [By Telegraph, Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, November 5. The regulations governing the sale of fireworks for Guy Fawkes Day were discussed this morning by the Hon. P. A. de la Perelle, Minister of Internal Affairs. “The impression appears to have been created,” said the Minister, “that the effect of the restrictions had been to encourage the importation of Chinese fireworks at: ,the ;,-expense of the British. As a. matter'.of fact, it has been found.that...the-ifi:-portation of fireworks has practically ceased. During this present year only fifty packages were imported (nine British ancl forty-one Chinese), as compared with 2525 packages (599 British and 1926 Chinese) imported last year. Stocks now being sold bv dealers are those held from the previous senoon. The regulations recently issued will permit the sale in future of most of the Roman candle type of fireworks, but the larger varieties of ‘bangers’ will be prohibited except for special firework displays.

“The intention is,” said the Minister, “to divide fireworks into two classes—one of which; can be handled with reasonable safety by children; and the other larger types, which will be. restricted for use at special displays under proper control.’.’ With regard to the comparisons made between British and Chinese fireworks, the Minister stated that tests carried out during the last few months by departmental officers bad shown that English fireworks were superior to the Chinese from both a constructional and a. pyrotechnic point of view. It had not been found necessary to condemn many of the British fireworks for general use. British manufacturers did not supply the smaller crackers and these would continue to be imported from China.