CONTROL OF LIGHTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20486, 21 February 1941, Page 3

CONTROL OF LIGHTS

WIDE POWERS GRANTED DOMINION OFFICER PENALTIES FOR OFFENCES (Per PresE Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Comprehensive regulations for the adequate control of lighting throughout the Dominion announced on Saturday by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraesr, were Gazetted last night. As indicated by him, they provide for the appointment of a Dominion lighting controller ahd outline his powers, which include preventing, prohibiting, controlling or regulating the display ,of lights or reducing the power of lights or extinguishing, disconnecting, dismantling, removing, shading, obscuring or otherwise dealing with lights. The controller is also authorised- to prevent or regulate the display of lights of any description so far as may be necessary or expedient in the interests of public safety, the defence of New Zealand or the efficient prosecution of the war. He may give orders affecting the whole of the Dominion or bis instructions may be limited to specified localities, lights, persons, premises, places, vehicles, vessels or specified classes thereof.

The Minister or controller may appoint wardens and may also grant exemptions from the regulations. Constables are authorised to arrest without warrant anyone wilfully contravening or failing to comply with the regulations and may search and detain for search anyone suspected of committing offences against the regulations. Penalty clauses for offences against the regulations include imprisonment up to three months or fines not exceeding £SO in cases of individuals with a fine not exceeding £lO for every day during which the offence continues. In the cases of corporate bodies, fines not to exceed £2OO may be imposed.