LIGHTING BAN

Waikato Times, Volume 131, Issue 21907, 10 December 1942, Page 2

LIGHTING BAN

PARTIAL RELAXATION PRELIMINARY PROPOSALS (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Wednesday The Minister of Civil Defence, the Hon. D. Wilson, stated today that although actual details of amendments to the lighting restrictions were not yet ready for gazetting, he could give some preliminary information about the proposals. He was concerned that house- | holders and shopkeepers, who had i assisted his department so materially in complying with the regulations, should obtain some relief from the lighting restrictions at aS early a date as possible. The Minister stated that pending the gazetting of detailed orders, it would be in order for householders and shopkeepers in other than areas visible from the harbours of Wellington and Auckland and their approaches to revert to ordinary window and shop window lighting. This, however, did not apply to display and advertising lighting or to under-verandah lighting. Street Lighting Speaking of street lighting, Mr Wilson said that it would be possible to revert more or less to normal lighting, bearing in mind always that provision would have to be made to revert to the conditions which previously existed should such action become necessary* later and also to maintain provision so that all light were so controlled that a total blackout could be imposed immediately should a period of f emergency arise. It would not be possible to allow in any area lighting which was not under immediate control. Asked as to action to be taken with respect to motor-car lighting, Mr Wilson stated that details had not yet been fully worked out, but that outside the two principal port areas there would be relaxation. He stated, however, that it would be unwise for motorists to alter the existing wiring on their vehicles as certain headlight restriction areas would be still retained. There was always a prospect that it might be necessary to revert to the conditions lately existing.