EMERGENCY PLAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23902, 28 February 1941, Page 8

EMERGENCY PLAN

CONTROL OF LIGHTING P WARNING OF DANGER REGULATIONS EXPLAINED [I!Y TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Thursday In a statement issued to-night, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, gives further particulars of the measures taken by the Government in connection with emergency precautions. "Regulations dealing with the general control of lighting have now been gazetted," said Mr. Fraser, "and comprehensive instructions have been issued to local organisations concerned indicating the, steps that should he taken by them to have all lights showing seaward extinguished or obscured and to eliminate sky glow resulting from concentrated lighting in urban areas. Details of the action taken in various localities will, of course, be announced by Emergency Precautions Organisations through the chairmen of executives from time to time. Blasts on Sirens "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. The methods adopted by the Government are practically identical with the system in operation in Great Britain. 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 he separated by silent periods of five seconds, the whole signal to have a total duration of two minutes. For the a!S clear a continuous blast of two minutes will be sounded. Extinguishing of Lights "Besides acting as a direction to the whole of the emergency organisations to mobilise for duty, steps aro 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 this kind require the utmost care in their application and the fullest use will he made of the 24-hour telephone service to convey information relating to emergencies to the proper authorities. Where it is possible prior notice of an impending danger will be given, but the system provides for immediate action by properly authorised persons should an emergency arise without warning. "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 the hours of darkness compatible, of course, with reasonable safety," Mr. Fraser continued. "ft would be idle, however, to extinguish street lights showing 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. The steps found necessary will be indicated later.

Complete Blackout "It will bp clear from my remarks that tlio sounding of a general warning will necessitate a complete blackout and that even before that stage is reached considerable precautionary restriction will be imposed in respect ol : lights showing seaward. Institutions such as hospitals, emergency headquarters and the like which must carry on under all conditions, should proceed immediately to equip their buildings with blackout 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 axnse, but it must be emphasised again that a very serious view would be taken of neglect 011 the part of any person to promptly comply with the requirements to extinguish or obscure lights. Use of Telephones "Experience has shown that in any emergency the people are likely immediately to make use of the telephone for contacting relatives and friends or in an endeavour to ascertain the nature of the emergency that has arisen," the Prime Minister said. "In the event of warning signals being sounded the public is expressly asked not to use the telephone except for reasons of the 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 the Government. I have no doubt everyone will co-operate in measures to ensure that everything possible is done to guard against danger."

SCHEME FOR AUCKLAND REDUCING LIGHT VISIBILITY EARLY STEPS TO BE TAKEN Steps to reduce visibility from the sea of thfi lights of Auckland will shortly be taken. Lights showing seaward will be completely screened and the concentrated glow of urban lights will be reduced as far as is consistent with traffic safety. "Everything causing 'sky-glow' will have to bo disconnected," said Mr. R. 11. Hartley, regional lighting controller, yesterday. "At the same time, we shall take care that in eliminating the one danger we do not give rise to another in increased traffic risks." Mr. Hartley pointed out that the problem was particularly serious for Auckland, the lights of which could bo seen both front the Tusman Sea and the Pacific Ocean because of the city's high areas and the narrowness of the island at this point. This probably meant that in many places street lights would have to be turned off or shrouded, but it was too early yet to make anything but a statement of possibilities. A full investigation would be made by the technical group under the Emergency Precautions Scheme and the necessary" steps agreed on. House lights visible from seaward were a large part of the probleiVi, but it was as yet too early for householders or others to begin worrying. Full publicity would be given to the committee's report after it had been submitted to the chief warden, Sir Ernest Davis. The committee is expected to begin work next week. The Dominion lighting controller, Mr. F. T. M. Kissel, has already announced that lighting will he generally restricted in New Zealand. Auckland had a prac T tice blackout of dwellings earlier this month, and it was pronounced bv wardens to be very satisfactory.