Daylight Saving

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 17, 14 October 1933, Page 9

Daylight Saving

Sir,—May I through the courtesy of your columns put the following questions to “Commonsense,” whose letter on the above subject appeared earlier this week. 1. Has he any authority for conveying the impression that the English farmers are unanimously in support of daylight saving, and were not. merely outvoted by the industrialists in the cities of England? (2) Whether he has any idea of the great difference in the staffing and working of a Danish farm, as compared to one in New Zealand, (o) If he knows that Australia (where, and where only, conditions most nearly approximate those of New Zealand) abandoned daylight saving after trial, principally on account of the. hardship imposed on the rural community? (4) That a great number of soldier settlers, in common with all farmers, are finding it difficult to secure labour this year, despite being taxed for relief, and that the proposed extra hour is adding to that difficulty? (5) That to wrest a living from the land these days a farmer needs scientific, mechanical and practical knowledge, ami it is therefore probable that his intelligence is keen enough to comprehend the meaning of the word hardship, when used in connection with summer time, and those engaged in farm, work, more particularly' the children who are obliged to help. '(6) Whether he would consider it a commonsense proposal if the farmers were to unite and suggest that Parliament pass some sane legislation this session, by extending the shop and office closing hour during winter to 630 p.m. to enable the country people to do their business with greater ease, during the few days off they are able to afford in winter, advancing as one of their reasons that shopping can be carried on to a much later hour than 0.30 p tn. in Japan and on the Continent—also bh a Sunday morning in parts of Lond.m?-I am, a farmer _ Eketahuna, October 30.