SALE OF FIREWORKS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 5 November 1930, Page 5

SALE OF FIREWORKS

STATEMENT BY MINISTER

(By Telegraph—Press Association) WELLINGTON, This Day.

Regulations governing the sale of fiveworks for Guy Fawkes Day were discussed this morning, by the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle, 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 British. As a matter of fact it has been found that the importation of fireworks has practically ceased during the present year only 50 packages having been imported (9 British and 41 Chinese) as compared with 2525 packages (599 British and 1926 Chinese) imported last year. Stocks now being sold by dealers are those held from the previous season.” Regulations recently Issued will permit of tlfe sale in future of most of the roman candle type of fireworks, but largeu 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 comparisons made between British and Chinese fireworks, the Minister stated that tests carried out during the past few months by departmental officers had shown that English fireworks were superior to Chinese both from a construction and a pyrotechnical point of view. British manufacturers did not supply smaller crackers and these would continue to be imported from China.