RESTRICTIONS ON LIGHTING

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23818, 11 December 1942, Page 4

RESTRICTIONS ON LIGHTING

LIFTING ANNOUNCED

“ REASONS NOT GIVEN ”

“It looks as if we are going back, virtually, to normal lighting in the South Island and that restrictions will be carried out only in Auckland and Wellington," said Mr W. Machin, chairman of the Christchurch organising committee of the E.P.S., last evening, when discussing statements by the Hon. D. Wilson (Minister of Civil Defence) on the lifting of lighting restriction. “We do not know the reason,” said Mr Machin. “Three weeks ago we were told by the Minister that the restriction would be very tight and definite as the danger was greater than he could tell us. But the Government's actions in the last few days suggest a great change in the facts or a great change in the Government's mind.”

Mr Machin made his comments when giving a general review of yesterday’s E.P.S. trial, which was held early in the morning, but in daylight. He said that there was no question of lighting incidents, with which wardens had had to deal in past trials.

MINISTER’S WARNING TO HOUSEHOLDERS

(0.R.) TIMARU, December 10. “Speaking on behalf of the War Cabinet I want to say we are anxious that there should be no unnecessary restrictions on the people of the Dominion,” said the Hon. D. Wilson, Minister of Civil Defence, at a meeting of representatives of E.P.S. organisations in the No, 13 area held at Timaru to-day. Mr Wilson was referring to the relaxation in the lighting restrictions and fire-watching. "We are now going into the question of street and car lighting in particular,” continued Mr Wilson. "I want, however, to issue a warning to householders. They will have to be very careful that they go into a restricted lighting period at a moment's notice should the necessity arise. Restrictions have only been lifted for the time being. They depend on the war situation in the Pacific, which may deteriorate or improve in the future —nobody can tell. I am very glad that the coming Christmas will be a brighter one both as regards the war situation and also lighting.” Referring to manpower problems in the E.P.S.. Mr Wilson said the training should ensure that a limited personnel could give better service than a large one not so efficiently trained. There should be flexibility in training so that large numbers could be usefully employed in an actual emergency.

"There are some who arc not doing their share,” said Mr Wilson, "and some have not even enrolled for service.”

Colonel W. T, Churchward. Regional Commissioner for the South Island, said that relaxation of the restrictions had been partly brought about by the efficiency of emergency precautions organisations. The only way to maintain efficiency was by constant practice and fairly frequent trials during which there must be complete blackout and fire-watching.

Mr J. S. Hunter, Director of National Service, also emphasised the need for continued efficiency in the precautions services.

Mr C. H. Shackell, senior E.P.S.

warden at Timaru, asked the Minister if he could do something to alleviate the shortage of bicycle tyres for girl mnsvpnnrrc Mr Wilecm •■»»**

the matter as regards the who 1 * Dominion. . . n0 Colonel Churchward said he haa power over the matter, as allocate were made through local comrnttt Personally he could not see could not get a small number of W*. for E.P.S. workers in the South IsIJP "Fire-watching has now been BW-, tically knocked out, and I think the step is essentially wrong, saw* H. H. Fraser, who suggested the eminent should make it compuispy for permanent fire-watching in , eS ; ha t tial industries. Mr Hunter said s the question raised by Mr Fraser « dealt" with under the Reserve to f Regulations, and was not one for ' Minister of Civil Defence. it matter could be brought to the nou. nf Ihr- Minister a fiminlUo.'lr.,