REVISION OF CALENDAR.

Matamata Record, Volume XIII, Issue 1110, 31 March 1930, Page 4

REVISION OF CALENDAR.

SUGGESTED CHANGES. What is Being Done. (By H. E. Schofield) (Special to Record) This is essentially an age of efficiency. The world’s greatest intellects are ceaselessly probing the incidentals of life, endeavouring to eradicate the useless and superfluous and by the elimination of waste make every ounce of physical energy and every product of physical activity show definite results for the benefits of. man generally. We are, however, a long way from achieving success, and with the frailties which beset human nature it is questionable whether man’s complete happiness can come without a spiritual and mental regeneration. Be this as it may, the fact remains that every day sees the fruition of fresh investigations in all spheres of life. Of recent years attention has been directed to our existing calendar by-which the year is divided into twelve periods or months of unequal lengths. The everyday man about town probably has never realised that our year has not been divided in the most advantageous manner. Our 12 months form such an integral part of our life that we do not even question their suitability and accept them as we accept the alphabet. The question, however, has been brought up before the League of Nations, who in 1922 appointed a committee of enquiry to collect data and make a comprehensive report. The report of this committee was duly received, and so impressed was the assembly of the League by its findings that it was decided “to take such measures as may appear advisable in order to ensure the further development of the work in question.” A request was then sent tc each nation to organise a “ national committee ” to inform people of the calendar’s defects and the benefits to be obtained by a readjustment. This resulted in the formation of the “ International ‘ Fixed Calendar ’ League,” with headquarters in England and the United States. It is anticipated that in the near future the League of Nations will convene ran International conference to deal with the whole question of calendar revision, and in some quarters th*. optimistic view is held that 1933 will see the revolution and is it not rightly termed a revolution —accomplished. Very briefly summarised the defects of the present calendar are as follows: 1. Unequal Lengths of Months. — This results in the four quarters containing 90, 91, 92 and 92 days respectively, and also makes the first half year consist of 181 days and the last 184 days. This is not very material from the ordinary point of view, but it certainly has a detrimental effect in the business world. In each month the number of work days vary from 24.t0 27 days with resultant differences in earning, expenditure, etc., all “ combining to make disparities in business and production activities as well as inconvenience in social and civil affairs.” 2. Incessant changes of day names for the same dates in following months. 3. Changing dates for Easter and uncertain dates for schools and holidays. ' These defects result in and cause: “ (a) Renewal and printing of millions of new calendars annually; (b) complicates otherwise simple reckon- . ing of days and dates and the pass- 1 age of time generally; (c) makes nvork-days, rest days and week-ends unequal in consecutive arid different months; (d) makes the periods, for earnings and expenditures of workers, employers and families unequal.” Various remedies hrve been suggested, but the one calculated to re<3 move most difficulties is that by which the year is divided into thirteen months of four weeks each. Each month would begin on a Sunday and end on Saturday. The additional month is called “ Sol,” and is inserted after June. The 13 months will account for 3G4 days, this leaving one day. This day will be inserted after December 28, and will be called “ Peace Day.” In Leap Year the additional day is placed after June 28, arid is called “ Leap Day.” These two days to be regarded as International holidays. This proposal w.ould carry with it many advantages, a few of which may be briefly summarised as follows: — 1. All months equal. 2. Each day will always carry the same date, e.e:., Sunday will always be the Ist, Bth, 15th and 2'2nd. 3. The complete four weeks would exactly quarter all months harmon- \ (Continued in Next Column)

izing weekly wages and expenses with rents accounts, etc. 4. Accounts, drafts, etc., would never come due on Sunday. 5. Permanent dates for public affairs, business, holidays, sports. 6. Each month end would coincide with a week-end, thus facilitating rents and payments. 7. No. sth' payments in unequ&l months. 8. By using 13 months of 28 days all monthly money values now circulating 12 times per year for labour, salaries, etc., also for manufactures, i wholesale, retail, shipping, etc., accounts would circulate 13 times per year. It has been estimated that £500,000,000 would by this means be realised in Europe for business expansion. 9. Present costs of printing, transport and circulation of calendars would be eliminated. A great many more advantages might be given, but the above will suffice to indicate the reasons underlying the proposal. It must be remembered that the whole question is at present in a transitory stage, but it is quite within the bounds of probability that some calendar revision will come Into operation within the next two or three years. - -