“Lights of London Shine Again”

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 22992, 8 September 1944, Page 5

“Lights of London Shine Again”

By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn. —Copyright LONDON, September 6. The blackout in Britain is to be considerably relaxed from September 17, when the double British summertime ends. This was announced officially in London to-day.

The window blackout will be replaced by "half lighting” over the whole country, except in a few special coastal areas. Under the new requirements windows other than skylights will need only to be curtained sufficiently to prevent objects inside the building being distinguished from outside. On an air raid warning, however, complete obscuration will be required. Street lighting of much higher standards will also be allowed in certain areas, but street lamps will be required to be screened above the horizontal.

It has also been decided to suspend, as soon as possible, the obligation to carry out fire guard duty.

“The best news of the war for the British home front,” is how the “Daily Mail” describes the announcement by the Minister of Home Security (Mi- Herbert Morrison) that the Government intends to modify the blackout restrictions.

Mr Morrison said the Government intended to abolish the blackout throughout Britain as soon as circumstances permit. Meanwhile, from September 17, except in special coastal areas, the drawing of ordinary curtains will be sufficient instead of the blackout of windows. Stronger street lighting and stronger lighting in other areas will also be allowed. Obligatory fire guard duties will also cease as soon as possible.

The “Daily Mail” says the blackout is half lifted.

The “Daily Express” describes it as a dimout. It reveals that Mi Churchill personally gave the ordei for the relaxation of the regulations as soon as the Royal Air Force authorities considered it safe to modify the precautions.