SUMMER TIME.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10710, 6 October 1928, Page 5

SUMMER TIME.

PROPOSED HALF-HOUR EXTENSION TO COMMENCE TO-MORROW WEEK,,;, ; BILL PASSES COMMITTEE ■ / STAGE' * ” ' "(Press Association.) ' • WELLINGTON, Oct. 5. A caucus of the Reform Party was held this morning, when it is understood it was decided to introduce a Bill to-day extending the standard time in New Zealand by half, an hour as suggested by the Select Committee, whicii considered Mr Sidey’s last Summertime BilL ' In the 'House to-night, by Gover-nor-General’s message the Summertime Bill was Introduced, Mr Sidey asked if the Bill gave effect to the recommendations of the committee winch had recently considered this question. Mr Fraser said the mandate of the country was for an hour of summertime, and now the Government has concurred that the principle of summertime was right, there should be no grudging acquiescence in the will of the people, and that there be no half-hour but a full hour, as was enjoyed last summer. Mr Samuel said he regretted the challenge thrown out by Mr Fraser to those who had been opposed to the Bill earlier in the session: This was a time of compromise and sweet reasonableness. There - was an endeavor to place the Bill on the Statute Book in an experimental form in such a 'way as to meet the wishes of the majority, of the people, and When he found a challenge thrown out by the member for Wellington Central it made iris. British blood boil, if for no other reason than as a compliment to Mr Sidey he wished tho measure, well. - - The Hon. W. Downie Stewart said the Bill advanced standard time from the second Sunday in October till the third Sunday in March. So far as the shearing and threshing industries were concerned the Bill contained the '•same proviso as the last Bill, viz., that they can work to standard time unless they agree to work to summer-time.

Replying to Air Holland the Hon. W. Downie Stewart said that not all the members of the Government party would vote for the Bill, but it was felt it would receive such a volume of support as would secure its passage into law. The Bill was read a first time. Later, the Hon. W. Downie Stewart moved the second reading of the Summertime Bill, explaining the provisions.

Mr Sidey thanked the Government for bringing down tho Bill, and expressed regret that the people were not to get the advantage of the full liour. However, the Bill was another step towards his ideal and for that he as grgteful. TJio Bill was read a second time on the voices.

Afterwards tho House went into committee on tho Bill, which was put through the committee stage without amendment. (Left sitting.)