FIRE AND THE FARM

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 138, 14 June 1933, Page 19

FIRE AND THE FARM

SAFETY MATCHES ONLY

• Bush fires and grass fires arc greater dangers iw Australia than in- Now Zealand, but they, arc sufficiently dangerous hero to create interest in New South Wales graziers' fire-prevention and fire-fighting proposals, which range from/safety matches to ' compensation for volunteer fire-fighters. A deputation of the Graziers' Association"* proposed to the Chief Secretary of Now South Wales (Mr. Chaffey) prohibition of the manufacture and sale of non-safety matches. The Minister said it was, useless for the State to prohibit as suggested. Importation was a matter entirely for the Commonwealth, and then there was the inter-State position- to be considered.- There . was. also .a: conflict of opinion within the State, for what was suitable in the inland districts was unsuitable in. the coastal areas. The association might take the matter up with the" Commonwealth Government. Eeplying to the resolution asking that owing to the. indiscriminate burning of stubble and grass land the law in regard to the careless use of fire be more rigidly enforced, the Minister stated that regulations had been issued as to the hours, the time of year, and the precautions to be taken. If anyone committed a breach he could be prosecuted. He promised to look into the matter of vesting local police with more power in dealing with alleged offences under the Careless Use of Fire, Act to see whether more, power should be given. On Mr. Chaffey'a suggestion it was decided to discuss the matter of compensation to volunteers meeting with accidents when fighting bush fires with the Local Government Department.