1951—THE BLACK OUT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 169, 17 October 1941, Page 5

1951—THE BLACK OUT

WHAKATANE'S DIM EXISTENCE

GREAT CHANGES FOUND

(Contributed)

It was the. Avinter of 1951 when the New Zealand trooper of the First Echelon returned to New Zealand. The second Great War was still in progress. The Labour Government was still in office. The soldier recalled as an interesting cirmumstance that prior to getting into power, ut had advocated as a plank in its platform the abolition of the Vcar term and the substitution of a three-year term for the life of Parliament. Later the Government had decided to remain in power for the duration. Self preservation is the iirst law of nature and is equally true of Parliamentary majorities as of individuals. Members were now assured of their seats for an indefinite period find this had been accomplished under the guise of "making the world safe for democracj'."

It was, however, when the soldier returned to his home, town at Whakatane that startling changesc were most apparent. During his ten years absence he learnt that Auckland had two trial blackouts but in Whakatane the blackout had been in continued operation for a period of ten years. Puzzled to account for this he recalled that some years before a gold mine had been discovered in the Borough quarry. An old resident was of opinion that a raider would need coal to replenish its bunkers and a useful store of "black diamonds" could lie found at Whakatane. In former daj r s "The Beacon" had been known to him as an organ of light and learning but in deference to the Stygian darkness which prevailed had found it incumbent to change its name and was now appearing as "The Black Town Gazette." Both Picture Theatres had closed down and only vaudeville entertainments were permissible. Owing to import restrictions facial make-up had long been unprocurable. The difficulty had been overcome by enlisting Native talent to form n Dark-town Troupe of Nigger minstrels. Even the religious life of the town had been affected by the blackout. The hymn "Lead Kindly Light" was no longer sung in the churches as it offended the spirit of the lighting restriction regulations but the prayer beginning "Lighten Our Darkness we beseech thee O' Lord." was recited with increased religious fervour. A curious, aspcct of the town life was the total absence of young men find maidens. Youth is proverbially Ei period of light-heartedness, fivolity and pleasure and they had foresaken the gloom of Whakatane to enjoy their freedom and the bright lights to be found at Rotorua, Hamlltbn and other towns where lightwig- restrictions were unknown. Well might the citizens sigh for those happier nights when community lighting had done much to brighten the shopping centre. The Borough Council Avas Ibsing £3QO' a year from this source. By the irony of fate, Whakatane tn, spite- of and most assuredly on account of its blackout, had been In .the V s P o tn£M" of international affairs, in the Pacific and was being featured as first page news. Opulent cities like Sydney and Melbourne, ftnd to came nearer home, Auckland and Wellington, had not deemed a continued blackout as a measure necessary for their security. The Japanese appeared to be no longer greatly interested regarding the rich resources of the Netherlafids East Indies. On the other hand they were vastly intrigued to know the extent or treasure that was being so> zealously safeguarded at Whakatane. But all their efforts to penet/ate the veil of secrecy had proved unavailing. The authorities here had acted wisely and with precision. They had appointed the local plumber as a member of the Emergency Precautions Committee and it was he who had so effectively blocked any leakage of information that might be of value tO' the enemy.