OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 June 1942, Page 4

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

BLACKOUT RESTRICTIONS (To the Editor) Sir, —Could you assist me with the powers that be, to ascertain how long the present ridiculous restrictions are to be enforced? I feel, and I am sure a majority of the citizens of Masterton agree with me, that the severity of the blackout restrictions imposed on this town is quite uncalled for. In a time of peril some form of reduced lighting is certainly necessary but to plunge an inland town into what may as well be absolute blackness, is to my mind out of all reason and also tends to destroy the effectiveness of such a necessity, should an actual emergency take place. One finds that such places as Upper Hutt and Trentham, where possibly the highest of military authorities are centred, retain their street lighting, and these places are much nearer to the open sea, and are of considerably more importance than is Masterton. Palmerston North also enjoys a lot more freedom from this restriction than Masterton. We have the distinction of being better blacked-out than many of our coastal towns. Our controller should be proud of his accomplishment. On the other hand it cannot be claimed that such blackness as we are asked to endure aids morale —such conditions, with motor cars blazing under full lights, are a menace both to motorists and to pedestrians. Many of our older folk are barred from leaving their homes after dark and as I understand the street lights are controlled by one switch, surely we are sufficiently organised to receive a warning in time to effectively cut out all lights should an emergency arise. I trust that some uniformity in the restrictions can be brought about and that cur controller will take steps to modify the present position. —I am, pin CITIZEN. Masterton, June 19. The District Lighting Controller, Mr G. Brown, to whom the above letter was referred, stated that no one in this district had been asked to do anything that was not in the regulations. The street' lights were shrouded in accordance with the specifications set out by the Dominion Lighting Controller. The position in the Hutt Valley had been brought under the notice of the Dominion Lighting Controllei’ and action was being taken to bring these lights into line with others. In structions had been given that there was to be no relaxation of the lighting restrictions in any shape or form.