BUSH FIRES’RAVAGES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19829, 2 May 1927, Page 10

BUSH FIRES’RAVAGES

INQUIRY IN AUSTRALIA OVER-INSUBANCE OF CROPS. Interesting evidence regarding bush fires, the alleged danger from wax matches, and the insurance of crops, was given in Sydney at the recent sitting of the Royal Commission on Bush FiresN Mr Taylor, general president of the Agriculture Bureau, said it appeared to him as though wax matches were used only in those parts of the country where they did the most damage. The total prohibition of the wax match was the only effective way to cope with the matter. The man on the land was most apathetic in the manner of organisation for his own protection. A letter from Bryant and May, Ltd., match manufacturers, Melbourne, was read. Mr J. M. Joshua, the company’s manager, set forth arguments controverting the impression that wax matches were dangerous. He argued that wax matches could not do any more damage than the so-called safety matches. Cigarettes did more damage, he wrote, as they now were in universal use. His company was sending out warnings in every box of matches advising caution. The letter stated that spontaneous combustion with either the wax or the safety match now was a chemical impossibility, but, on the other hand, the phosphorus used for rabbit poison was far more dangerous. The prohibition of wax matches would impose incalculable hardship, would entail much loss of employment to Australians, and would mean the discontinuance of the use of much Australian material. He pointed out that there were many forest fires in America and Canada, where wax matches were not used. Mr R. V. Mailer, of Trundle, said that one of the greatest dangers they had to contend against was over-insur-ance, which was a menace, as those

who were over-insured just sat back when a fire occurred and said “Let her burn.” The insurance companies should be compelled to disclose what crops were insured, and the amounts on them. He instanced one case in which a crop was insured in two offices. It was burned out, but, unfortunately for the owner, the two assessors arrived at the same time, and the man got nothing. There was much over-insur-ing. Air A. W. Grinter, of Trundle, stated that his losses this year through fire included 2000 acres in grass, 2600 bags of wheat, 100 tons of hay, 200 bags of oats, harness and equipment. His insurance lapsed two days before the fire. The cause of the fire was attributed to a harvester running over a box of wax matches. He had found the box afterwards. He thought all tractors should be compelled to carry fire extinguishers. He supported Air Mailer’s remarks regarding over-insurance. It would assist greatly if two neighbours had to attest that a crop would bring what was claimed of it before being insured. Expert advice on railway engine designing and the control of sparks and ciuders was given by Air H. Young, principal designing engineer of the Now South Wales railways. The chairman contended that sparks appeared to do more damage than cinders, but Air Young maintained that the New South Wales railways were abreast of the latest developments in that regard. He was surprised to hear that sparks were the cause of fires.