CONTROL OF FIREWORKS

Taranaki Daily News, 6 November 1930, Page 11

CONTROL OF FIREWORKS

LITTLE IMPORTED THIS YEAR. THE RESTRICTIONS EXPLAINED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Nov. 5. The regulations governing the sale of fireworks for Guy Fawkes Day were discussed this morning by Mr. P. A. de la Perielle, Minister of Internal Affairs. “The impression appears to have been created,” said the Minister, “that the effect of the restrictions has been to encourage the importation of Chinese fireworks at the expense of British. As a matter of fact it had been found that the importation of fireworks had practically ceased. During the present year only 50 packages had been imported (nine British and 41 Chinese), as compared with 2525 packages (599 British and 1926 Chinese) imported last year. The stocks now being sold by dealers are those held from the'previous season. The regulations recently issued will permit of the sale in future of most of the Roman Candle type of fireworks, but the larger varieties of “bangers” will be prohibited, except for special fireworks 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 other larger types, which will be restricted for use “at special displays under propercontrol.”

With regard to the comparisons made betveen British and Chinese fireworks the Minister stated that the tests carried out during the past few months by the departmental officers had shown that the English fireworks were superior to Chinese, both from the construction and pyrotechnic point of view. British manufacturers did not supply the smaller crackers and these- would continue to be imported from China.”