Fireworks on trial

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33985, 28 October 1975, Page 16

Fireworks on trial

New Zealanders probably have their last chance in the next two weeks to demonstrate that they are responsible enough in their use of fireworks. Last year, for the first time, sales were restricted to a period of 10 days before November 5 and. although there was some improvement in public behaviour, the instances of fires, accidents, and hooliganism with fireworks were numerous enough to reinforce the views of those who would ban the sale of fireworks. Parliament has had before it a recommendation from its petitions committee that “most favourable consideration" be given to a complete ban on the sale of fireworks except for supervised' public displays. Members of both parties in the House supported the committee's recommendation and the ban will almost certainly be imposed next year unless people show that they can handle fireworks sensibly and supervise children who want to use them.

Instead of the total ban. Parliament may consider a ban on sales to young people. Britain bans sales to children under 13 and is considering raising the age to 18. Some Australian states ban sales to children and a proposal has been put forward in New Zealand for a ban on sales to ail children “ obviously under 16 ”. Although most accidents with fireworks happen to younger children, these youngsters are not always the authors of their own misfortune. Many stupid acts with fireworks are carried out by vandals and hooligans who would probably not be obstructed or impressed by a ban on sales to children. If such people cannot regulate their use of fireworks in the next two weeks, fireworks might soon be seen only in supervised aisplays. If community groups are prepared to take the trouble to mount such displays, the result could be a good deal more spectacular, and should be much safer, than the thousands of risky back-yard explosions which punctuate Guy Fawkes Day.