BLACKOUT TEST

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24141, 6 December 1941, Page 12

BLACKOUT TEST

NEXT WEEK'S TRIAL ( WARNING TO CITIZENS ALL MUST CO-OPERATE . An indication that stern measures will be taken against those who fail to observe the blackout regulations to the fullest possible extent was given by the Mayor, Mr, .T. A. C. Allum, yesterday, when speaking. of the obligations of all sections of tho community in the o&servanee of the third blackout trial next Wednesday night.- This would be tho last publicly-notified blackout test ana he earnestly appealed to everyone to co-operate and ensure that it was an unqualified success. Although the two previous trials were of distinct value from the viewpoint of organisation and education, said Mr. Allum,, they could not be claimed to be fully effective as blackouts calcti- j lated to shroud the city as a target for invading aircraft. Notwithstanding the efforts made by householders and others to obscure internal lighting and those of public authorities to extinguish street and external lighting, the aerial reconnaissance reports rovealed that the appearance presented by the metropolitan area was f one of reduced lighting rather than total blackout. The cooperation this time must be real and practical, reflecting a self-imposed obligation to make certain that not even a chink of light was visible from outside the premises. Absolute Compliance "We have passed the stage of serving notices on occupiers, drawing attention to lights that are visible," added Mr, Allum. "On Wednesday next war-! dons will call at premises where lights are showing, and in all cases where circumstances warrant the course, prosecu-j tions will be recommended. This applies to public bodies, business interests and institutions as well as householders. I am not an alarmist, but I am bound to indicate that the situation is so serious 1 that compliance with the requirements of the forthcoming and all future blackout trials must be complete and absolute." Mr. Allum said the Emergency Precautions Service was the principal branch of civil defence, was functioning exclusively for the protection of the life and property of citizens, and it was not too much to ask that all sections of the community should cooperate with it to the full. Warden personnel engaged on patrol work had an onerous . and thankless task, and Auckland could show its gratitude for these voluntary services and at the same time further safeguard its own interests by abiding loyally by the •regulations. Full Scale Tests "As soon as is practicable after the blackout on Wednesday a test of the complete emergency organisation will be made, in all probability during a Saturday afternoon," said Mr. Allum. "Thereafter it is hoped to hold blackout trials without warning and tests of the organisation on the same basis. Meanwhile I would emphasise that the holding of the blackout tests does not imply any diminution in compliance with the terms of the reduced lighting scheme. Between the periods of the trials reduced lighting must be strictly maintained, with the knowledge that wilful breaches or indifference to warnings will mean recommendations to the police for prosecutions."