The general complaint of the excessive rigidity of th e lighting
restrictions has fortunately borne fruit. No one will revolt against any regulation that makes for public safety or the efficient prosecution of the War, but the black-out rules unquestionably make against public safety, and it has yet to be demonstrated that military requirements demand them. Take pocket-torches. The display of the smallest glimmer of light when an air-raid warning has been given should obviously be visited with the severest penalties, but when there is no warning it can be assumed that there are no hostile aircraft within fifty miles or so. What harm, in those circumstances, could there ever have been in a small torch to help a pedestrian across the road? What good, moreover, is it to discuss the opening of theatres and cinemas if no one can get to them? The new car regulations, which put the off headlight out of action, will prevent drivers in the country from seeing the one guide they have to steer by, the white line in the middle of the road.
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