“LIGHTS OUT”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 May 1938, Page 9

“LIGHTS OUT”

IN EVENT OF ANOTHER WAR. RESTRICTIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN. If Great Britain is involved in another war “lights out” restrictions will be enforced throughout hostilities. This is what will have to be done, according to a Home Office circular issued for circulation to all local authorities. Every house, shop, business premises or place of entertainment must mask its windows after dark; all illuminated signs will be prohibited; factories must work behind screened windows; normal street lighting will disappear, and restrictions will be imposed on railway and road traffic lighting. “The aim,” the circular explains, “would be to secure that, as far as is practicable, hostile aircraft passing over this country at night would see no lights which might serve to guide them to a particular objective or assist them to determine their position.” The restrictions will be enforced by the police, who will have power to grant exemptions where work of vital national importance requires the use of lighting.

Adequate means of aiding movement in darkened streets are being devised for areas where there is considerable traffic.

These include the use of reflectors, white markings or dim, well-screened indicator lights to mark the line of the road, and also obstruction and danger) points. ’ Traffic control signals would continue in operation, fitted with masking devices.

Consideration is also being given to the evolution of special lighting equipment for use where essential services have to operate in darkened streets.