SUMMER TIME CONDEMNED.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 8 June 1928, Page 8

SUMMER TIME CONDEMNED.

UNSUiTABLB TO FARMERS.

UNION MEMBERS’ OBJECTIONS. “This apathy is to be deplored; as the text of the petition i«> to bo based on the actual hardships suffered,” said a circular letter received by the South Taranaki Provincial executive of the New Zealand Fanners’ Union yesterday' lrom the Dominion secretary (Mr d.i Pow), in calling attention to the paucity oi replies reeived to the suggestion made in February that the provincial organisations should forward reasons against the Summer Time Act for consideration in the preparation of a petition to be presented to Parliament expressing objection to the reintroduction of the measure.

.Discussion of the circular gave rise to a. storm of protest against the reenactment of the measure and the secretary was authorised to reply outlining the executive’s objections.

That in its national effect through out the Dominion the re-enactment o! the Summer Time Bill would not b<

advisable was the opinion given by A« W. Fi. Garter, who stated, however, he was not altogether opposed to the principle asj an individual. It had, lie thought been found unsuitable to the farming community, while in the town areas also' its tendency towards an increase in the time spent in sport was not desirable. “We want to encourage thrift among our young pec ole and to stimulate them in the useful employment of spare time, but we don’t do that by giving increased facilities for .sport.” continued Air Carter. lie lmmorously remarked that many housewives dwelling in the towns and cities might object to the scheme as their husbands leaving places of eoioleyment with an extra hour of daylight before them, failed to reach home until the light faded.

POSSIBLE DOMESTIC EFFECTS?

The secretary (Mr E. K. Cameron) : Ls one of your objections then that Summer Time lias a tendency to Lncrease divorce? (Laughter.) Mr M. W. Barker saicl the scheme had been unsuitable to the success of uork in dairy factories as it was impossible for all farmers to keep to Air Sidey’s time. The longer hours entailed to; women on the farms, the loss of rest to children who. would not go to sleep before dark, and the dissatisfaction in dairying centres where some farmers l observed summer time While others did not, were among the principal objections voiced against the measure by Air J Cec-ker. '

I u uderstand that the increased cost per ton was quite considerable in cheese factories owing to the extra, hours work necessitated,” said Air A. O. Ricketts. Many suppliers, ho said, did not work according to Summer Time with th" result that there was an extra hours working at the faetorv and' that hour was spent with the vat half full of milk. Vr ’It ol’Ocisocl the cost of production Air Cocker also considered that a loss in manufacture was occasioned as the in i hr was mixed too long. .At his fne-t.o-v he understood the loss was the equivalent of a cheese daily.

FRICTION ON FARMS. I be chairman asked for consideration of the aspect that trouble was caused between farm .employers and employees thiough the former wishing to work according tc, standard time. “A man with a big herd would, be a fool to work on Suley time.” continued Air. Betts and he knew of cases where men had left •employers who wished to work according to the old time. i tendency was to give those who had, plenty of leisure before, an extra hour of leisure,” said Air. J. P. Alarx, who considered the summer time principle wag absolutely unsuitable to life 1 11 rural areas. Summarising his principle objections Air. Alarx isaid that summer time occasioned longer hours, of work for women on the, farms, it tended to encourage the drift to the towns and led to friction (over school administrahi on in rural areas where it was cxetvdmgty difficult tor pai;ent s to ensure that •children would reach school at the opening hour—of summer time.