BLACKOUT PLANS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 70, 24 March 1941, Page 4

BLACKOUT PLANS.

STATE DEPARTMENTS.

CONFERENCE CALLED. Advice has been received by the Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, in his eapaeity of chief warden of the metropolitan area, from the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. l-'raser, that* the Government Departments must conform to the Lighting Restrictions Emergency Regulations, and that the matter would be discussed at a conference to-morrow, at which the Minister of Xational Service, the Hon. R. Semple, and the Lighting Controller, Mr. P. T. M. Kissel!, would lie present.

Sir Ernest said that the good effects of the blackout produced by householders and commercial firms would be nullified unless a reduction -was made in tho lighting for which the Crown was responsible. He added that Mr. Eraser had also agreed to a request, that the Dominion lighting controller should visit Auckland. Shop Window Lights. Tn reply to complaints that the blackout in the city business area was inadequate in comparison with the suburbs, tho chairman of the lighting technical group committee, Mr. P. IT. Bart ley, said that buildings and area* controlled by the Government had been regarded as outside the scope of the Auckland authority. He added that in connection with window lighting it was not in-

tended to enforce a complete blackout, but occupiers of shops were expected to reduce their lights, so that no glow was caeit upon the roadway beyond the. limits of tho verandah. Retailers in the central area had been allowed to use their own discretion. A number had not modified their lighting, and it was the duty of the Emergency Precautions Scheme Organisation to see that sufficient Tneaeiures were taken, and that something approaching uniformity was reached.

Onehunga Dissatisfied. Dissatisfaction is felt by wardens and workers at Onehunga in connection with the blackout arrangements in the city area. A meeting was held yesterday, and it -was decided to forward a resolution to the deputy district warden, stating that the wardens and team workers would cease to patrol the area until such timo as Auckland city decided to adhere to the blackout regulations. Thanks were expressed to Onehunga householders and Luisine** people for their co-operation and help. The deputy di:?trict warden was also informed that the ser\ ices of all would bo at di*po<?al should any emergency arise.