TOTAL BLACKOUT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 24030, 30 July 1941, Page 6

TOTAL BLACKOUT

PLANS BEING PREPARED PRESENT RESTRICTIONS CONTINUATION PROPOSEDfBY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION V WELLINGTON, Tuesd'gy According to a statement made by the Minister of Transport, the Hon R Semple, at the meeting of the Safety Council to-day, steps are now being taken by the authorities to p re . pare for a. total blackout, so that Well, ington, for example, can be plunged into darkness at once. Lighting restrictions must continue in New Zealand said the Minister. That was the advice given the Government by Army, Navy and Air Force authorities. Views ot Advisers

"Can anyone imagine that a Govern., ment vrith any sense of responsibility , would ask for restrictions, inevitably imposing a certain degree of hardship and considerable inconvenience, without a good, solid reason?" he asked, "I cannot say in public what these reasons are, but I can tell you in strict confidence."

Mr. Semple then epoke to the council in committee and placed before them the written views of the Government 1 ! advisers. "A Pool's Paradise" « "For far too long all of us—and - myself as well—have been living in & fool's paradise," said the Minister. "We had hoped to live our lives in peace. We know now that we are not going to be allowed to live in peace. It is the fault of no individual that we have been living in this fool's paradise. It comes from the natural wish of all people of the British Commonwealth of Nations to live in a world of peace. But, neither you nor I, in our lifetime, are going to live in peace."

Mr. M. F. Luckie expressed the appreciation of the council for the "inspiring and informative" address given bv Mr. Semple. LITTLE CHANGE ,07 CHANGE STATEMENT BY MR. NASH (8.R.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday "I do not think there is any likelihood of this happening," said the acting-Prime Minister, the Hon. W< Nash, when asked to-day if there was any prospect of the blackout restrictions in parts of New Zealand, particularly Auckland, being modified to permit more.lighting. The Minister hud earlier in the day conferred with representatives of the Auckland and Wellington City Councils and the Emergency Precautions Scheme organisations of the two cities, who waited on him seek, ing a modification of the restrictions. Mr. Nash said it was essential to ensure that the lighting procedure gar® the maximum possible safety frorti the Dominion's point of view and the lenst possible aid to the enemy, He said he had discussed with the deputation the possibility of N"w Zealand broadcast* being of assistance to the enemy, and this was one of the points to which attention was being given. The Government would shortly make a statement on the whole question.