SALE OF FIREWORKS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 54, 5 March 1930, Page 11

SALE OF FIREWORKS

RESTRICTIONS TO CONTINUE

POSITION" STATED

The Minister of Justice (the Hon. Sir Thomas Sidcy) to-day made the

following statement relative to the sale of fireworks:—

"In consoquence of a number of serious accidents which occurred with fireworks last November, inquiries were made by tho Police and Explosives Departments into the circumstances attending these accidents. The Commissioner of Police subsequently issued a public notification that fireworks wore deemed to be explosives for the purposes of the Arms Act, and could therefore only be sold by licensed persons and under permit from tho police. The fireworks dealers, who were in doubt as to their liability under the Act, represented tho matter to the Government with a request that the position be cleared up.

"A conference- on the matter was held between tho Hon. Sir Thomas Sidey and the Hon. P. A. dc la Pcrrelle, Ministers in Charge of the administration of tho Arms and Explosives Acts respectively. Reports from both Departments concerned were considered, and. it was found that a much larger number of accidents had occurred than was generally realised, •and-that some of these were of a very serious nature. In one case a child lost a hand ami tho sight of one eye, while the other eye was permanently injured.

"The matter was therefore referred to Cabinet, and the Government has now decided to confirm tho restrictions imposocl by tho Arms Act with respect to %il fireworks. In future fireworks may only be sold subject to permits issued by the police; These permits will only be issued whero the police aro satisfied that the fireworks will be used under . proper control and with adequate safeguards for public safotv. "The practical effect of this decision will bo that fireworks may not in future be purchased by children, and even adults will be required to satisfy the police that displays will be given only in suitable places and with adequate precautions to prevent accident." ;

Tho Minister, in an interview today, commented that at first sight this action appeared to be unduly restrictive. Tho inquiries made by tho technical officers, however, showed that practically all of tho accidents which have occurred during the past fow years were, duo to tho improper or careless use of. firoworks. No controlling regulations short of, severe restrictions would bo effective in preventing this class of accident, and tho only way of meeting tho position was to. confine tho sale of fireworks to responsible persons. In addition to this accident hazard, there was also the serious firo risk from firoworks to be considered. During the past few months both Departments concerned had received a largo volume of correspondence regarding fireworks, and tho general opinion cxprossed was strongly in favour of the action now taken. "I think," added Sir Thomas, "that in viow of the possibility of serious accidents such as that quoted, most parents will agree with tho Government's decision. There will doubtless be much protest from tho small boy deprived of his 'Guy Tawkes' celebrations, but under modern conditions where tho wireless and the picture shows bring daily, and hourly entertainment to tho'young, tho deprivation will be much less felt than in years past when tho fireworks season was looked forward to by children as one of tho few treats of the year.''