SALE OF FIREWORKS.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18168, 5 November 1930, Page 6

SALE OF FIREWORKS.

THE NEW REGULATIONS. EXPLANATION BY MINISTER. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) * WELLINGTON,' Wednesday. The regulations governing the sale Of fireworks for Guy Fawkes’ Day ; were discussed this morning by Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle, Minister of Inter- ■>. nal 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 the British. As a matter of fact it has been -found that the importation of fireworks had practically ceased dur- ' ing 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. The stocks now being sold by dealers are those held from the previous season. The regulations recently issued will permit the sale in future of most of the Roman candles type of fireworks, but the larger 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 the comparison made between British and Chinese fireworks the Minister stated that tests carried out during the last few months by departmental officers had shown that the English fireworks were superior to the Chinese, both from a construction and pyrotechnic point of view. It had not been found necessary to condemn many of the British fireworks for general use. The British manufacturers did not supply smaller crackers and these would continue to be imported from China.’’ TO-NIGHT’S CELEBRATION. THE GUNPOWDER PLOT. j: On November 5, IGOS, a zealous churchman named Guy Fawkes conceived the idea of blowing up King James and his Parliament. On November 5, 1930, little Willie Blank, of Glaudeiands, will apply a match to a rocket and run for his life. All religious or patriotic significance of Guy Fawkes’ Day has long since gone. Nobody cares a fig for the Gunpowder Plot, whether it succeeded or failed, but that there would be a national upheaval of a similar nature if ail the Willie Blanks lost an excuse to explode fireworks is certain. And so indulgent- adults will smile tolerantly to-night when Hamilton becomes a world of fizzing squibs, soaring rockets, deafening bombs, bursting crackers and crackling bonfires. Incidentally, to-day is the last Guy Fawkes’ Day when fireworks. may be let off without special permit from the police. ‘