DAYLIGHT SAVING

Evening Star, Issue 19722, 24 November 1927, Page 2

DAYLIGHT SAVING

Mi! SIDEY HONORED ST. HILDA APPRECIATIVE \ Sing n song of sixpence; Bay light Saving’s in. Four-aml-twenty cookies, Kicking up a din,' ■ When the Bill was published They made such, a fuss, 'And said: “This T. K. Sidey’s No d good lo us.” So sang an anonymous poet of air T. K. Sidey, M.P. for Dunedin South, and his Summer 'rime Bill. This and sundry other selections in verso and prose, favorable and unfavorable criticisms of daylight saving, nro ■'treasured in Mr Sidey’« scrap book, according to Jiis statement in the course of a complimentary social in honor in the Coronation Hall. St. Iviicln, last night, when the residents of the district presented him with a massive silver tea and coffee service ns an expression of their a fleet ion and goodwill. The social was hold with the object of commemorating the adoption of the Summer Time Act, and an eminently successful function was the result. Mr Sidey entered the hall to the accompaniment of the march ‘The Conquemr,’ played bv the St. Tv ilcl a Band. The mayor (Mr W. B, Taverner) presided. He extended a hearty welcome to all present, and expressed gratification at the attendance. Mr A. Devlin, chairman of Mr Sidey’s Social Committee, extended the warmest thanks of the committee to their many friends who had tendered such loyal support in connection with the function. His duty, ho said, was a simple bnt pleasant one—that of calling upon the mayor to make the presentation. Mr Taverner said that he was very pleased to accept the invitation to preside at the social, and was proud to be associated with such a representative audience in honoring Mr Sidey. He then read letters and telegrams from the Prime Minister (the Hon. J. G. Coates), Sir Charles Statham, Sir Keaton Rhodes, Sir Joseph Ward, the Hon. Mark Cohen, M.L.C., the Hon. W. Downio Stewart, the Hon. W, Nosworthy, Mr H. L. Tapley, M.P., and many other members of Parliament, conveying their sincere regrets that the exigencies of the session would not permit them attending. Mr Taverner said that the ink of the Vice-regal signature on the Daylight Saving Bill had hardly dried before Mr Ridey’s committee met and discussed what shonkl_ be done to observe the occasion fittingly. It was felt that Dunedin South should be tlie first to move in according Mr Sidey honor upon such a signal occasion. The movement was taken np enthusiastically, and this function was the result. Mr Siclcy’.s campaign had been an extremely long light, watched by nil sections of the community with great intercet. Eighteen years ago. whon_ Mr Sidev first took up daylight saving in the House, it was not regarded in a serious light. Gradually a more commonsense view wa.s taken until ho reached tho stage when ho was enabled to claim the victory he deserved. Mr Taverner had the groat pleasure and honor of according their guest a civic reception in the Town Hall on the evening of his return to Dunedin alter tho successful issue of tho Bill. This, lie said, would go down as permanent recognition of the appreciation of the citi'/.cns of Dunedin. It was felt that the occasion demanded more than local observance, and a committee was set up to give expression to tbo.so views ia movement embracing tbc whole of New Zealand. The committee was working in full co-operation with the Dominion Committee in Wellington the object of a national expression. Funds were coming in which would enable the local committee to send quite a considerable contribution on. Varying opinions had been expressed as to exactly what form the ultimate expression should take. Tho dominion committee had been generous enough to state that it would bo haply to take a lead from any suggestion Dunedin might care to send on. The endowment of a university scholarship or bursary was put forward as a suggestion, and Mr Taverner bad reason to believe that the same feeling existed in other towns. He trusted that this would bo brought about, and that Mr Sidey would be given permanent and fitting recognition in this way. ]n conclusion, the Mayor said that there was no doubt that the general welfare of tho community had been enhanced by the passing of the Bill. Rather too much had been made of the advantages gained by the sporting people. ‘‘ Sport ” was u comprehensive term, and it was hard to say what it actually was. Tho lenn covered a wide sphere and practically included all outdoor activities.

“And now,” said Air Taverner, “I, have a very pleasant duty ir» perform in presenting Mr Sidey with this tea and coffee service. J am here tins evenin'; in my ollieial capacity- as mayor and also as a political supporter of Mr Sidev. Therefore 1 am acting in a don trie capacity in performin'; this Inf lo ceremony. I. have groat pleasure in asking Mr Sidey to accept this gilt, and 1 frost that he will enioy long Ida and happiness and he able to look upon it for many years lo conic.' 1 (Applause.) The service bears the follow,ng in scription “ Summer Time. Presented to Mr T K. Sidey as a tangible expression of goodwill and afleetion irom his committee and many friends _ to mark the adoption of tiic Summer Time Act, November 6, 1927.” Air Sidey was greeted with musical honors.

Air j. I J . Walls, Mayor of Mosgicl, said that lie wished to express the gratitude of the Mosgiel community,, particularly the sporting section, ami congratulated Air Sidey upon the accomplishment of his object. Alosgicl, ha said, was in Mr Sidey’s electorate, and he wished to take the opportunity of expressing their thanks for all that had been done during the years in which ho had represented the district. Mr 11. W. Hall, the Mayor of bt. Kilda, said that any misgivings about daylight saving which might have existed were almost entirely forgotten. People who thought the Bill would not bo 'of benefit to the community now recognised that the extra hour was decidedly worth while, and gave them extra pleasure. He hoped that everyone, including the farmers, would bo satisfied, and that it would be recognised that the Bill was for the good of the community generally and not for one particular section. On rising to reply Mr Sidey was warmly applauded. “ First of all,” ho said, “I wish to thank the speakers most sincerely for their remarks. I feel honoured at such a representative attendance here to-night. This very handsome gift will always bo treasured by me as a record of this important : and historic occasion. To mo it will be worth for more than-its actual'value.” Mr Sidey said that he was sure that a number of his colleagues would have been pleased to be present bad Parliament not been sitting. This was the third occasion on which a similar complimentary social had been tendered him. The first marked the completion of seventeen years in Parliament as tho representative of the district, and Hie second twenty-five years. In a few days he.would complete his twentysixth year in the House. (Applause). Mr Sidey went on to refer to his friends and supporters of tho past, and said that he was very pleased that throng!) all the years good feeling and relations had existed between them. The political situation at the moment was of interest, but tho occasion did not permit the delivery of a speech on this subject. The Summer Time Bill

had always been regarded as a/Jionr party issue, and Air Sidey statqq>tuat ho had to get support from all sides ot the House. The history of tho Bill from its inception would make a very interesting chapter, in 3.911'it might have been carried, hut someone frightened the whole House by raising the licensing question. Then the Bill was actually carried at an all-night sitting bv tho House of Representatives m 1915, and lie believed that the .House was the first Lower House in tho British Empire to put through such a measure. , , “Now that I have laid experience of daylight saving,” continued Mr pidey, “ I would like to say that .1. consider I am highly privileged to bo a bye and see it in actual operation in tins country, it is unfortunate that the weather has been against ns, but wc must remember that the summer lias linrcllv begun. Speaking generally think that daylight saving lias worked with far greater smoothness than very many people in the town and country expected. Daylight 5s Hie same everywhere, and 1 fool certain that l ie itilo difficulties can bo overcome. 1. shall n;i say much about sport. Not only' " ill those who take part in sport ficiielit, but all indoor workers To size Hio whole thing up. .1 would like to say that whatever disadvantages there may bo in Ibis legislation 1 believe that I hoywill bo found to bo substantially outweighed by the advantages to the gieat, body of the public. “ [ wish to express my warm, appreciation of all you have done for Inc, concluded -Air Sidey. “Tins gathering will always remain as a, happy association and recollection of thei passing ol the Summer Time Bill. Ouo of the greatest rewards which can come to a public man is the leva ty and devotion from so great a number ot menus. (Applause.) . During supper Mr A. Downio, one of the earliest settlers in the district, spoke. Ho reviewed the progress of the borough during the last 25 years, and said that Mr Sidey had boon associated with many notable improvements effected during that time. These were the widening of King Edward street, tlie overhead crossings at Kensington and Caversham, the railway duplication at Mosgicl. the St, Ki da and Sontli Dunedin Rost Offices. 11 is great work in educational particularly in connection with the University and Dental School, was very well known. “For 25 years,’ said Mr Downio, “Mr Sidey has worked with the object of the Summer Tune Bill m view. Through bis indomitable will and courage be has carried to victory- a Bill which has proved popular in its trial, and which, I am sure, is here to stay. The Bill will go down m parliamentary history as a lasting tribute to a member whom the House as a whole bolds in the highest esteem.” Mr Downie concluded with a reference to the part played by Mrs Sidey m her husband’s career, and said that her sympathy and co-operation had contributed materially towards Ids success. Mrs Rnston was made the recipient of a bouquet in appreciation of her services on behalf of the committee. A programme of pleasing variety was presented. .Songs wece. rendered bv Misses . Kyle, A. Wright, and H. Parker, and Messrs G. S. Newton, H, Sincock, and J. Patterson. Mr R- Bachop played an enjoyable, piano'solar A jazz band, consisting of Misses M. and S. Tonner, Messrs It. Rowley and A- Bell, rendered several selections during Hie evening. The St. Kilda Band, under Mr James Dixon, rendered several stirring airs, au appropriate number being ‘An Early Morning Country Scene’ (Rimmer). , . , A well-prepared supper was enjoyed by all present at 10.15 p.m. Dancing was then indulged in until an early hour.