SUMMERTIME EXTENSION

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 19 October 1933, Page 6

SUMMERTIME EXTENSION

HALF-HOUR FOR LONGER TERM

OPPOSITION TO FULL HOUR. BILL BEFORE PARLIAMENT. AGREEMENT TO AMENDMENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.J WELLINGTON, Oct, IS. Moving the second reading of the Summer Time Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives to-night Mr R. McKeen (Lab., Wellington South) said the measure proposed to increase the-present half-hour to one hour and to extend the period for a month. The Bill suggested summer time should end on the third Sunday in April. He had had a great deal of correspondence from all over the Dominion, and the majority of the communications were in favour of the Bill. He was prepared if a majority of the House was of that opinion to leave summer time at the half-hour provided the period was extended till after Easter. He said inquiries by the Health Department had indicated that daylight saving had been of extreme value to the health of the community. Mr K. S. Williams (Co., Bay of Plenty) said that as a representative of a country district he had been instructed to oppose the provision for an hour, but he was in favour of the half-hour. Mr A. M. Samuel (Co., Thames) said the fanners were very much opposed 'to daylight saving, as it interfered seriously with their work. Mr It. J. Broadfoot (Co., Waitomo) said lie had had complaints that an extra half-hour would not suit the country, hut they' were prepared to compromise. . . Mr F. Laugstone (Lab., Waimarino) expressed the hope that the half-hour would be adopted all the year round, as it was more essential to save daylight in the winter than in the. summer. It would be far better if the Government instituted a seven or sixhour day. There would then he no need for the Bill. Mr W. J. Poison (Ind., Stratford) said the farming community objected very strongly to the extension of summer time, which they still felt was detrimental to their work. There was a great deal to be said for the argument that the half-hour should apply the whole year round. Mr A. J. Murdoch (Co., Marsden) said the farming community should be given ail opportunity of expressing its opinion on the proposed extension Mr McKeen: If we leave the halfhour as it is and extend the period for a month will that satisfy you?

Mr Murdoch: Yes: Mr McKeen: Well that is what we will do.

The Bill was read a second time on the voices on Mr McKeen’« assurance that he would amend the Bill on these lines. ■