Fireworks Ban Sought

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32221, 13 February 1970, Page 22

Fireworks Ban Sought

r.v Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON. February 10. The Government would be asked to ban the sale of all fireworks except for specially organised displays, the president of the Urban Fire Authorities' Association (Mr W. R. Campbell) said today. The approach to the Gov ernment was decided at an executive meeting of the as sociation in Wellington yes terday.

"The use of fireworks pre ceeding and on Guy Fawkes i Day last year produced injur I tes and outbreaks of fire' , which should surely demon : •strate the time has arrived • to call a halt in this dangeri ous pastime," he said. , “In the two month period October 1 last yeai the Christchurch Fire Brigade 1 attended 36 calls to fires in- - volving rubbish and grass. “On Guy Fawkes Night ‘ alone the Auckland Fire Brigade attended 44 calls in four, hours and in Wellington and , the Hutt Valley the position! was even more serious. “Newspapers reported bad cases of injuries received! from fireworks and the de l velopment of hooliganism as ! Isociated with these celebra-| |tions has become a matter of' public concern.” Fire authorities were par-] iticularly concerned at the] [ugly incidents of assaults! 'made on firemen when fight ! iing fires deliberately lit by[ i hooligans as part of Guy Fawkes celebrations, he said The association had there ■ fore decided to make the im , mediate approach to the Gov > ernment with a view to obtaining a total ban on the sale of all fireworks except foi specially organised displays [for which a permit would be [issued by the Chief Inspector of Explosives. The association would seek the support of the Fire Service Council, the Municipal [ Association and the Counties I Association for the ban. [ The association had previously urged restrictive legislation and in 1968 a bill was, brought down by the Ministei of Internal Affairs (Mr Seath); I It was referred to the Com- i

tnerce Committee, whiyh did not report favourably, and [the proposed bill was not pro ! 1 ceedcd with. Mr Campbell said.