DANGEROUS LIGHTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 39, 15 February 1941, Page 13

DANGEROUS LIGHTS

PRECAUTIONS TAKEN

CONTROLLER APPOINTED

NEW REGULATIONS

The passing of comprehensive regulations for the adequate control of lighting was announced today by the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser). "Certain lights throughout the Dominion have already been eliminated," said Mr. Fraser, "and steps will be taken under the new regulations to extend these precautions in other localities without delay. In drawing up proposals for the control of lighting and in their execution the Government is relying to the fullest extent on the active assistance of the local Emergency Precautions Organisations.

"The general administration of the scheme will be the responsibility of Mr. F. T. M. Kissel, who has been appointed Dominion Lighting Controller. He will, of course, act under the direction and control of the Minister of National Service. Mr. Kissel already holds the position of Electricity Controller, and he is also chairman of a special technical committee, acting in closest collaboration with the Chiefs of Staff in formulating the general outline of the precautions to be taken. The Minister (Mr. Semple) is now selecting qualified men holding responsible positions in connection with lighting as the local controllers. The local controllers, when appointed, will assist the Emergency Precautions Executive-in selecting other qualified persons to act as properly constituted committees under the Emergency Precautions Organisation.

WORK FOR LOCAL COMMITTEES

"These local committees will be asked to formulate proposals for the adequate reduction of dangerous lighting in each area and the various Emergency Precautions Organisations will be required to put the scheme into operation. Excellent machinery is thus provided under the comprehensive Emergency Precautions Organisations already set up to ensure that the obligations laid down are properly observed. Wardens appointed under these organisations will patrol the areas and advise people of their responsibilities and where necessary direct them to comply with the orders. The wardens will not, however, have power to enforce these requirements, and if any difficulty should be experienced in that connection a report will be conveyed to the police who will have full authority to take any action to ensure that . directions are given effect to.

"It will be seen," said Mr. Fraser, "that every effort is being made to secure the co-operation and assistance of local authorities in the procedure laid down and for full authority to be delegated to properly constituted Emergency Precautions Organisations, and while restrictions of this kind must inevitably create some inconvenience the safety of the whole community is involved and all must be prepared, as I am sure they will be, to comply with any necessary precautions which an emergency may require."