Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1928. DAYLIGHT SAVING

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 October 1928, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1928. DAYLIGHT SAVING

the last-minute, the Government acted on the recommendation of the special committee which considered the Summer Time (Local Empowering) Bill, that although that particular measure was beset with difficulty in working, the Government should fa.ther legislation providing for some alteration in the clock. Whatever the cause of

the Government’s action, whether

it was influenced by election possibilities or otherwise, the decision will be generally welcomed. This gratification will be accompanied by a belief that a full hour should have been granted, as in some quarters, the half-hour will be insufficient to confer much benefit. Moreover, Parliament’s readiness to alter the clock for half an hour, suggests that the opposition to the principle of daylight saving has not been, very sincere, but merely Founded on prejudice. ■ Be that as it may, the town, workers will be glad to have got “half a loaf.” and during the forthcoming Summer, will enjoy more opportunities for healthy leisure than had appeared probable. The continuance of the daylight saving scheme, this year, even by a shortened degree makes it almost certain that such, clock-altera-tion will henceforth be an annual affair in tin* Dominion, to the advantage of the whole community. How responsible statesmen failed to support the measure, long ago. is difficult to understand. All’s well that ends well, and Mr. Sidey, whether or no this proves to be Ihe last Parliament of which he is a member (and rumour states that he is reconsidering his decision to retire) will have the satisfaction of realising that his chief work during : his legislative career, will become 1 his permanent memorial.

A. proposal now comes from a Wellington contemporary that the Dominion’s clocks should be put forward by half an hour once and for all. Slimmer ami Winter, in order to make New Zealand’s standard tilin' exactly twelve hours ahead of Greenwich. It is claimed that this would inconvenience nobody, and would result in great saving of lighting costs. It would redue the maximum power demand on electric and gas lighting and power plants in the winter time. From a power-supply point of view

the alteration, would, be desirable, as I he overlapping power and lighting load From 4.30 to 5 p.m. in winter makes a great and sudden demand on the power plant; and ultimately the alteration would lead to a reduction of capital expenditure, for it would not then be necessary to provide for the overlapping load at the power station. Most workshops and offices would be enabled Io open and close in winter within the hours of daylight, while in the summer an additional half-hour would be available in the evening for outdoor work or recreation. It is already the practice of Government offices, of some farmers, of surveyors, and of many others to work half an hour or so ahead of New Zealand time in order to take advantage of the available daylight in winter time. With a New Zealand standard time exactly twelve hours fast on Greenwich, there would be conformity with the International Time Agreement that mean time should be an exact number of hours, with no fractions, different from Greenwich time. Astronomical and nautical calculations would also be made easier.

The whole question should be seriously considered during the interval from now to when the new Parliament meets.< Clock-alteration is not an appropriate subject for annual debate and uncertainty. Daylight-saving has proved its merits, and should now become permanent, at least, in the Summer months. The latest proposal is more open to argument, but should be given the consideration its merits may deserve. Inherent conservatism causes some to be apprehensive regarding clock-changing, but once this system was definitely settled, it would be accepted as a matter of fact by all.