anarchists, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

anarchists n.

[they are ‘likely to explode’]

(Aus.) non-safety matches.

1900–10		Stephens & O’Brien Materials for a Dict. of Aus. Sl. [unpub. ms.] 3: ANARCHIST: Bush slang wax vestas or matches in general.
1917		in ‘Ian Hay’ Carrying On in DSUE (1984).
1941		Baker Popular Dict. Aus. Sl.