PLAY FAIR

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3153, 5 August 1942, Page 6

PLAY FAIR

LIGHTING RESTRICTIONS . ALL MUST CO-OPERATE AN ADDRESS TO BUSINESSMEN In wartime it is only by the closest co-operation on the part of all that the best effort can be made and to secure this there must be a realisation on the part of each individual that a serious war is being waged, and that he or she must play their parts. If everyone looked at the matter from that point of view

there would be little difficulty

in carrying out lighting restrictions or ether regulations, said the deputy-controller in an ad-

dress to Matamata businessmen. Many people thought that an odd single light did not matter, and that an odd light or individual would not attract the enemy. This idea was totally wrong. The position of the light and the position of the blind could he used, in very many

ways to convey signals. No risks

could he taken, and everyone should readily assist in complying with the lighting restrictions.

It was first of all necessary to realise the great difference between a “brown-out” and a “black-out.” The “brown-out” was the subdued

lighting which was being enforced at present, and often erroneously called a “black-out.” On the other hand a “black-out” meant what was conveyed. It was a complete blacking out of every outside light so that none could be seen. This included street lights, factories and torches. Every house was obliged to have one room so completely arranged that not even a chink pf light could be seen outside. This room should be a fairly large one, as a family might be compelled to stay in it for some time if an actual raid took place. A brown-out was almost wholly

governed by commonsense, but a few of the details were that no direct light at all must be seen outside, while the reflection from ia window or doorway must not b emore than a tenth of a candle power at a height of four feet on a vertical plane six feet away from the window. The size or depth of a window made a difference, as there would be greater reflection from a shallow window than from a deep one. Doorways also counted, and were subject to the same restrictions as windows. Avoiding Reflection

Reflections must be avoided. They were generally the result of carelessness. For instance, a cup, mirror, or anything. bright which reflected light being placed in the window would greatly increase the reflection. Similarly, a window filled with blue or dark materials when passed might be changed to a

“white” window with white materials. Again, the owner might decide to remove a dark paper' backing of the window and substitute a lighter paper. All of these and other items might cause serious complaint.

No time switches were allowed, and if ordinary commonsense was used, together with a spirit of cooperation, there should be no great difficulty in regard to the “brownout.” Rules For Trials The position regarding a “blackout” trial was totally different. In this case there must be no light of any description showing anywhere —in streets or buildings. This applied to houses, shops, factories, cars and torches; in fact, any light. Cars, if caught in the trial, had to pull off to the side of the road and extinguish their lights. No torches must be used, except by wardens, and wardens’ torches had to be shaded with a black disc inside the glass, the aperture of which was not greater than half an inch, and outside with a diffusing material equal to one thickness of tissue paper. Factories Included

All factories came under the regulations just as houses did, hut there was provision for those engaged in essential work to secure a permit exemption from the trial. Taken as a whole the regulations were simply commonsense ones, and could he carried out easily, provided there was full co-operation on the part of all. Several questions were answered, and the reply to one was that it would not he “playing fair” for residents simply to turn off all lights and go to bed at 9 p.m. on the night of a trial. <Such action did not test the efficacy of the precautions tak.n and. might result in serious consequences if an actual raid took place. The aibove is a synopsis of an address given before the Matamata Businessmen’s 'Association Iby authority of the (Deputy-Controller/