DAYLIGHT SAVING.

Bruce Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 66, 23 August 1917, Page 1

DAYLIGHT SAVING.

RESULTS IN ENGLAND

Early in May last the committee appointed by the Home Secretary to inquiro into the social and economic results of the Summer Time Act, 1916, and to consider whether it is advisable that summer time should be reintroduced in this and subsequent years, issued its report. As was generally anticipated, the committee unanimously declared in favor of tho permanent adaption of "daylight saving," as the late Mr Willett, who originated tho idea, most appropriately called it. Tho report states that tho evidence received showed that the vast preponderance of opinion throughout Great Britain is enthusiastically in favor of summer time being made a permanent institution. Such few difficulties as have been experienced can easily be overcome by good-will and organisation. In this connection it is interesting to note tho committee's opinion that nearly the whole trouble of those who found it irksome ' got up early in the mornings last summer was their failure to go to bed at the same hour by the clock as at other times of the year. The committee is 110 doubt fully justified in believing that what opposition still remains will have disappeared in a few years, and that the entire nation will regard it as a wholly beneficent measnro. Interesting details are given in the report as to the results of last year's experiments. Medical opinion is that the extra hour in the open air was beneficial to health ; the police authorities consider that the Act brought about a definite improvement in public morals and order; the views of trade unions, women's organisations and social workers were all favorable to the Act; while tho opinion of employers in every trade, industry and business is overwhelmingly in favor of summer time. As to agricultural work, despite certain difficulties, the vast majority of farmers and war agricultural committees are in favor of tho renewal of the Act, and most of those, who hold that it is not advantageous to agriculture consider that it should be renewed in view of the benefits to the community at large.