REASONS FOR BLACK-OUT

Grey River Argus, 18 July 1941, Page 3

REASONS FOR BLACK-OUT

PURELY DEFENSIVE Staff Chiefs Responsible [Per Press Association] PARLIAMENT BLDGS., July 17. “The depredations of the raiders in the Pacific last year convinced the Government that the introduction or the lighting restrictions could no longer be delayed.’’ said Hon. W. Nash, in a statement on the necessity for blackout and for reduced lighting in the Dominion when the House met at 2.30 to-day. In the modified form in which regulations had been imposed, he said, namely reduced lighting, they did cause a measure of inconvenience to the public but they nevertheless were the reasonable minimum essential --r purposes of defence. A full blackout had not been imposed—although it would be necessary, under certain conditions—as this was not justified as a full-time measure, and would have caused unnecessary inconvenience to the public. This action, continued Mr. Nash, had been taken by the Government on the advice of the Chiefs of Staff. Mr. Nash also explained the reasons for the restrictions on vehicle lighting, which, he said had only been imposed after full’ consideration by the Chiefs of Staff. It had been suggested in some quarters that the restrictions were imposed to reduce consumption of electric power, but economy in this direction was completely unrelated to the imposition of reduced lighting. In any case, added the Minister, economy in the use of lighting was negligible compared with the economy which could be effected in the use of power for heating, cooking, water heating, and industrial uses.

New Emergency Plan FOR N.Z. TRANSPORT. P.A. WELLINGTON. July 17. Hon. R. Semple, to-day announced that unanimous recommendations that machinery be set up -to handle the allocation of. transport for defence and civil requirements in an emergency, were recently made by a conference of representatives of local bodies E.P.S. organisations, Farmers’ Union, Road Transport Industry, National Service Department, and Transport Department. Mr. Semple said: “The War Cabinet has considered recommendations, and has approved of the creation of machinery, for which the Ministry of Transport would be responsible. A Transport Controller will first be appointed. The Dominion will be divided into special emergency transport districts, and representatives of the Army, E.P.S.. transport operators, and other interested parties in each district will form advisory committees. District controllers will be appointed by me. and will prepare schedules showing the various defence and civil transport requirements of their areas. Powers will be given for “ear marking’’ the vehicles required for the Army, Home Guard, E.P.S.. and essential civil needs. Provision will be made for the right of appeal to the appropriate transport licensing authority.’’