DAYLIGHT SAVING.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1224, 5 September 1911, Page 3

DAYLIGHT SAVING.

$- SPORTS BODIES CONSIDER IT. PUBLIC .MEETING TO 13K CALLED. A mcelins of amateur athletic and sports bodies was held in llic Chamber of ComniPi-ce Inst evening, lo consider what, steps should bo taken ta promote Ihe passage throuj;h Parliainont of Mr. T. K. Sidoy's JUaylishl tfnvins Bill'J'lie meotiiiK was conveiu'il br the Wellington Cricket Association, and Mr. Ml'\ Luckin was voted to the chair. There were, suvenicen ■ present. the?e inclmliiiK i-Dprcsentalivcs of tl-.o "WclJinjrttm Oricket Association, Welliiißtou Itugljy Union, 'Wellington J.awn Tennis Association, Wellington Hockey Association, New Zealand Aiiialcur Athletic Association, New Zcaln.'jd Tenni'i Association, Star JjqatinjT Club, New Zealnnd Amateur Swiiniuiu!; Association (Wellington Centre), and the Wellington Ko\<;iuf; Association. Mr. Martin Luckie's Opinion. In openinK the meeting, the chairman remarked that, if the Bill were passed, he felt sure that Its effect would be apparent in ten or fifteen years in the physical condition and the mental and uior.nl character of the younger ceneration of both sexes. New Zealand had led tho way in much useful legislation, and tho speaker was surprised that such a movement as day-light-saving liad lain dormant so long. Many members of Parliament with whom he had spoken had absolutely no sound argument to advance against it, but were simply afraid, of assisting such a revolutionary measure because they had not given it consideration- Mr. Xuckio was of opinion that a variation of the clock by ono hour could at least do no harm, and ho was confident that, if it were, tried for two"or three years, there would then be a majority in favour of an alteration by two hours. Tho present meeting, he explained, was but a step towards a larger meeting later on, at which representatives of all bodies intereM-ed, and members of Parliament, and the public generally woukl bo asked (0 attend and givo an expression of opinion regaiding the promulgation of the movement. Ho moved: "That those present form themselves into a committee for the purpose of securing a general meeting at'the Town Hall on a suitable (Late, in order to get an expression of public opinion on tho measure." Tho inoticji was seconded by llr.. B. Keeping. The Father of the Bill. Mr. T. K. Sidby, M.l , .,'in speaking to tho motion,, said that ho had not come prepared to expatiate at length the subject, as he had supposed that those present would bo ' conversant with tho n.\iestion. .He believed that t'lie idea had been promulgated in Wellington. The question had not only ken considered by committee.} at Home and here, but also in Victoria two years ago, when tho evidence taken was lavourablo to tho adoption of the proposal, and it had been recommended. As showing the extent to which the proposal was being supported, he read a telegram signed on boiialf of 130 workers in the Colonial Ammunition employ expressing approval of tho movement. Ho also mentioned that a' petition presented to Parliament, on the subject had been signed by 1500 warehouse employees. Ho enumerated several other instances of tho manner in which tho inccisuro was gaining increased support, and how many of tho original objections to the proposal were fast disappearing. Ho was of opinion that if the Bill before Parliament could be got into operation for but a year tho answers to all objections would be forthcoming. Its advantages would l>3 apparent, and it would fc'3 renewed. It ought to have met with more support because it was purely experimental, arid the onus would be on Parliament to renew it—not to repeal it. Its Chance in Pariiamont. , Mr. Sidcy al?o told tho meeting that ho considered that tho Bill was within an aco of going through its committee stage, whe.i at a late hour Sir Arthur Guinness moved an amendment to exclude hotels from the operations of the measure.'" This proved its undoing. He (Mr. Si Icy) did not consider, however, that the amendment had been moved with any intention of killing the Bill. As a matte- of fact it held an excellent position on tho Order Paper to get through this session, and if it had got through committee it would hare come up for its third reading next Wednesday. It had no chance now as o- private member's Bill, but if the Government liked they could take the Bill up in the exact place where it was left in committee. His opinion was, however, that with tho general elections so close it would not be taken up again this year. But there could be no objection to letting the House know what public opinion on the mailer was. Mr. Keesing then spoke in favour of the movement. The ch-iirman also read a telegram from Mr. F. M. B. Fisher, M.P., expressing re-, fjret at his inability to attend the meeting, and announcing himself in favour of the movement. Ifn suggested a strong doDiitotion to tho Primo Minister gn" tho subject. The motion on boing put to the meeting was carried unanimously. Mr. Kcosing was appointed hon. secretary to tho movement.