THE BROWNOUT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 268, 12 November 1942, Page 4

THE BROWNOUT

11/ELLINGTON'S latest test blackout is described as a poor effort, ** chiefly because of the slow response of the public to the warnings of the siren. Lack of enthusiasm for the cccasional blackout is bred by a strongly-held belief that the time has arrived for a relaxation of the continuous brownout. It is true that wardens have been advised that in areas which do not face the sea they need not call upon householders for so strict an observance of the regulations as in the past. It is also true that in some of the areas in Auckland this suggestion has been entirely disregarded and that wardens have taken it upon themselves to say that, having secured a close observance by drawing attention to every infraction, they do not intend to permit the slightest relaxation. Other and more open-minded wardens who have taken note of the current of events have Interpreted the instruction with some liberality, with the result that there Is a patchwork of dark and twilight all over the city. It is time that somebody in authority gave more consideration to the brownout restrictions. At present they are an inconvenience to everyone who stays at home, a danger to everyone who goes abroad by night, and they serve no apparent useful purpose. When Japan came into the war there was every excuse for taking precautions, although no convincing reason was ever advanced for this one, and now that everybody has had Ml opportunity of learning his duties in the event of a raid changes should be made. Observance has never been effective for the reason that lighthouses have continued to throw their beams miles out to sea, other light installations illuminate acres of seaway to a daylight brightness, and the radio stations continue to provide all the cross bearings that hostile craft or aircraft could desire. Elimination of sky glow has been given as the reason for the brownout; but various defence authorities seem to have created as much sky glow as householders have eliminated. Complete elimination " could be secured at any time now at a few minutes' warning, and if we are not to get that the absence of sky glow will not help when all the other guides to hostile craft are in full blast. In New South Wales the Minister of Emergency Service, -who earned much condemnation for the severity of his regulations in the early stages of the Pacific war. has made out a very strong case against the brownout policy in Sydnev The stubbornness of the "brass hats" has, he says, blocked his way so far, but no reply has been made to his arguments, and he is still determined to push his demand for relaxation in the face of military opposition. Mr. HefTron s point of view should receive consideration here.