In 1953 there were 100 people gathered on my neighbouring property outside Menindee. They were there for the big bonfire and the crackers.

Stupidly, all the crackers were placed in one pile; and not far away enough from the bonfire. And yes, there was an accident.They exploded and,

TWO CHILDREN WERE KILLED.

Since that day, I've always paid closer attention to the aftermath of cracker night. INVARIABLY, within several days of cracker night the national and local press would report the injuries, some of them absolutely horrid. And yes, there were more deaths. Yet the tradition of cracker night continued. Eventually of course, the crackers were curtailed, and then finally cracker night became a thing of the past.

"IF" cracker night was a purely ADULT activity, I'd say we should have it. But it's NOT an adult activity - - - it's primarily for the children. And we need to protect children. Over the many years of the cracker night tradition there's always been adults who have made errors of judgment regarding their duties of supervision over children. The crackers were stopped because of the childrens' inability to police themselves (they are "children" after all) and because many of the adults supervising children were either remiss with their supervision or made bad judgment calls regarding the crackers.

The crackers were stopped to PROTECT THE CHILDREN from death and injury. And yes, even a tiny cracker, given certain circumstances and practices, can cause severe injury to a small child.

It seems maybe 'some' people here are quite happy to sacrifice some kids for the sake of having some fun on cracker night. "Bring it back" they complain. "It's just the 'PC brigade, reading from their Communist manifesto' who want it banned.

I repeat, for the dimwits who don't understand - - -

The crackers were stopped to PROTECT THE CHILDREN from death and injury. "IF" cracker night was exclusively an "adult" activity, then bring it back. When you're an "adult" you're old enough to make your own decisions and live with any consequences - - - CHILDREN ARE NOT OLD ENOUGH.

Children are only killed when adults are idiots, as in you're example.
Yes, others get injured, but usually only severely when adults are idiots.
The vast majority of kids survived cracker-night unscathed, all their lives, and going back who know's how long!
Following your logic, why haven't bicycles or roller skates/blades been banned? Skateboards? Kids suffer terrible injuries and even die on the sporting field, ban it. Swimming can lead to brain damage or death for the unlucky few, ban it.
All of the above cause far more injuries than crackers used to.
We need to remember that children are children, and let them be, let them enjoy the wonder and excitement, and the risks.
Would you wrap them in cotton-wool, stop all the risk?
Where do you stop?

“Would you wrap them in cotton-wool, stop all the risk?
Where do you stop?”

I would take kids to an organized function to watch the fireworks, I usually let three year olds and over hold sparklers. But no, not exploding things thanks and nothing that can cause serious permanent injury or death.

I would not let a kid put a fork in an electrical outlet, I wouldn’t let them touch the oven when it is on. Lots of stuff I protect them from. But I let them take their chances whizzing on scooters down the driveway and I let them climb trees and their first jump in the pool is watched with a grin on my face. Most parents allow stage and skill appropriate activities, fireworks just don’t fit in anywhere and since we do have rollerskates and bikes we don’t need crackers.

Problem was the stupid older kids would buy them, give them to their little brothers who would go hang with even younger friends and next minute someone does loose an eye.

Max you know deep down you do agree. Master just has a kind of intense and combative way of explaining things – he fits right in.[smile]

sock-puppet:"TWO CHILDREN WERE KILLED."

I've been googling and I can't find any reference to your claim. What were the names of the children? Who was charged? Which property did it happen on? Surely there must be some record of this event?

BTW, dear, you do tend to get a tad hysterical. Perhaps a touch higher dosage of your preferred "mood-stabiliser"?

Max:"The vast majority of kids survived cracker-night unscathed, all their lives, and going back who know's how long!"

I saw lots of happy kids and very few problems when I was a kid.We heard that terrible things happened, but they never happened in Lae between 68 and 79.

Perhaps we were just more used to taking sensible precautions as part of life.

Max asked, "where do you stop?".

Max, you stop at "cracker night". That's what the authorities have done. And a lot of injuries, and likely a few lives have been saved as a result. But I don't think you care.

Antiwomen asked,

1) "What were the names of the children?"

2) "Who was charged?"

3) "Which property did it happen on"

4) "Surely there must be some record of this event?"

Now, unlike Antiwomen's point blank refusal to address even one of the legitimate questions he was asked by me and CJ Morgan, and others, about his NRL/Channel 9 management conspiracy theory in that other topic, I will actually answer the 4 questions he asked:

1)I don't know their names. Someone would have probably mentioned their names to me when it happened nearly 60 years ago. I know they were not locals.

2) From memory, I can't recall anyone being charged with anything. It was the early 50s, and times were different then. You've 'automatically' thought "someone must have been charged with an offence" - - - - you are using a 2009 mentality to "assume" how things were in 1953.

3) I've already told you, it was on a property neighbouring one of several properties my family owned. Unlike in the cities or towns, a "neighbour's" house can easily be over 50 miles away. You didn't think about that, did you.

4) There probably is some record somewhere. So you googled: That doesn't mean anything. Remember it took place several years prior to television. Milk in Menindee/Broken Hill was delivered by HORSE AND CART STILL. I better not tell you what they used as a fire engine. Local events that took place in the remote outback in those days do NOT necessarily end up splashed all over google in this computer age - - - again you're using a 2009 mentality to look at an event that happened nearly 60 years ago. I would imaging there would be a hospital record somewhere.

BuT Antiwomen, we "know" your motivation for asking those questions is NOT sincere - - - continued

- - - - you only asked because you are attempting to clutch straws to 'catch me out' after you were soundly defeated in the NRL topic, regarding your ridiculous conspiracy that women use sexual assault perpetrated by NRL footballers in order to conspire to position women into "unassailable positions of power on NRL football boards". You quickly broadened the topic to indulge in your favourite pastime here - - - attempting to denigrate women who practice self determination or women who possess any power whatsoever over any men.

You're OF COURSE, not the least bit interested in any cracker night deaths or injuries to children.