BLACK-OUT PLANS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20492, 28 February 1941, Page 4

BLACK-OUT PLANS

DOMINION CONTROL SYSTEM OP WARNINGS USE OF TELEPHONES RESTRICTION REQUESTED - (Pmt Press As^oriutinn.> WELLINGTON, this day. • In a statement issued last night the Prime Minister, the Rt, Hon. P. Fraser, gives further particulars of measures taken by the Government in connection with the emergency precautions. “Regulations dealing with the general control of lighting have now been gazetted,” said Mr. Fraser, “and comprehensive instructions” have been ’ssued to the local organisations concerned indicating the steps that should be t?.ken by them to have all lights showing to seaward extinguished or obscured and to eliminate sky glow resulting from concentrated lighting in urban areas. Details of the action taken in the various localities will,, of course, be announced by the emergency precautions organisations through the chairmen of the executives from time to time.' Closely associated with the restriction of lighting is the system of warnings. Considerable attention has been given to the formulation of measures to give immediate warning to the community should an emergency arise. British System as Model “The methods adopted by the Government are practically identical with the system in operation in Great Britain, as it is obvious that we could not do better than follow the practice which has been so successful under the worst conditions. Details of these warning signals are also being circulated to all local organisations for immediate application. “A state of emergency /will be indicated by a succession of blasts on sirens or whistles of 10 seconds duration, to be separated by silent periods of five seconds, the whole signal to have a total duration of two minutes. For the all-clear a continuous blast of two minutes will be sounded. “Besides acting as a direction to the whole of the emergency organisations tc mobilise for duty, steps are being taken to make it obligatory on every person in the area to extinguish or obscure all lights on the sounding of the general alarm. “Naturally measures of thjs kind require the utmost care in their application, and the fullest use will be made of the 24-hour telephone service to convey information relating to emergencies to the proper authorities with a complete absence of circumlocution. Where it is possible prior notice of impending danger will be given, but the system provides for immediate action by properly authorised persons should an emergency arise without warning. Use of Motor Vehicles . “It will be obvious that some steps will be necessary to apply the same measure of safety with regard to the use of motor vehicles during hours of darkness, compatible, of course, with reasonable safety. It would be idle, however, to extinguish street lights showing to seaward if complete freedom were given to motorists to use their vehicles in such areas with unrestricted lighting. “This aspect is engaging the attention of the lighting controller and transport authorities. Steps found necessary will be indicated later. , “It will be clear from my remarks that the sounding of a general warning Will necessitate a complete black-out, and that even before that stage is reached considerable precautionary restriction will be imposed in respect of lights showing to seaward. Institutions such ps hospitals, emergency headquarters and the like, which must carry on, under all conditions, should proceed immediately to equip their buildings with black-out material to the extent necessary. Householders should do the same in respect of rooms in which it is desired to have the use of lights should an emergency arise, but it must be emphasised again that a very serious view would be taken of neglect on the part of any person to promptly comply with the requirements to extinguish or obscure lights. Attitude to Telephones “Experience has shown that in any emergency people are likely immediately to make use of the telephone for making contact with relatives and friends, or in the endeavour to ascertain the nature of the emergency that has arisen. In the event of warning signals being sounded, the public is expressly asked not to use the telephone except for reasons of utmost urgency. To do so may imperil its efficiency and thus seriously embarrass necessary action. “Those in charge of operations will see to it that all necessary information is immediately broadcast by radio and the public, by promptly tuning in, can be kept fully appraised of the general position and all they may be called upon to do. “It will be seen, therefore, that farreaching steps are being taken by the Government as precautionary measures. Citizens throughout the Dominion will be kept advised of their responsibilities by their local emergency precautions organisations and by the Government. I have no doubt that everyone will co-operate in the measures to ensure that everything possible is done to guard against danger.” <