The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1928. THE COMPROMISE ON DAYLIGHT SAVING.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10711, 8 October 1928, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1928. THE COMPROMISE ON DAYLIGHT SAVING.

There will ho widespread satisfaction in the cities and in the towns over the fact that, after all, daylight saving is, this summer, again to lie enjoyed in this Dominion, although, this time, the clock will he put forward only half an hour, instead of a full hour, as was- the case last summer. It will be recalled that, earlier in the session, Mr Sidey’s effort to have the principle of daylight saving to the extent of an hour in summer made a permanent institution was rejected by the House, mainly as the result of the hostility of representatives of farming districts. Indeed, when, later on, he endeavoured to induce the House to agree to the saving of half an hour’s daylight during the summer months, the same hostile ele meat again exerted itself to such a degree that it was really no wonder that he became so discouraged that lie intimated that, personally, he did not intend to persevere with the proposal. As a sequel to this decision on his part, the whole of the responsibility in respect of the matter was, therefore, thrown on the shoulders of the Government. It seems to us that the Government would liave failed in an important duty if it had not gone ahead with the compromise proposal this session. Nobody will deny that daylight. saving to the extent of an hour inflicts hardship on certain sections of those engaged in the primary industries, especially on those connected with the dairying industry. On the other hand, the great hulk of the townspeople must have thoroughly enjoyed the advantages which accrued to them under the scheme last summer. It was certainly the case that the “extra” htfur of daylight in the evenings afforded the residents of the cities and towns much greater importunities to indulge in pastimes and in other forms of recreation, with, as a consequence, beneficial results both physically and mentally. There may, however, be something in the contention that daylight saving to the extent of half an hour only is really adequate. At all events, the few disabilities that were urged against the principle of daylight- saving even in the towns last summer will be minimised by the reduction in the amount of daylight that is to he saved this summer. On the other hand, the farming community, which protested so loudly on account of a full hour of daylight being lost to them in the mornings last summer will have much less room for complaint this summer. The Government is, therefore, to be complimented on its action in taking up the matter and, by so doing, indicating its adherence to a principle which involves great benefit to the bulk of the residents of the Dominion.