DAYLIGHT SAVING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3830, 11 August 1928, Page 2

DAYLIGHT SAVING.

DEPUTATION WAITS ON PRIME MINISTER. Wellington, August 9. A large and representative deputation waited on the Prime Minister to-day to urge that facilities should he given for the passage of the Summer Time Local Empowering Bill introduced into the House of Representatives by Mr. Sidey. The deputation was representative of the Wellington City Council, a number of local bodies outside ol Wellington, Petone Borough Council, Civic League, Ilutt Borough Council, Associated Chambers of Commerce, Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Manufacturers’ Association, Employers’ Association, Trades and Labour Council, the medical profession, New Zealand Educational Institute, Kindergarten Association, National Council of Women, Mothers’ Union, and the women’s branch of the Medical Association.

Mr. Sidey said that the representative nature of the deputation showed the strength of the sentiment in favour of the larger towns and cities being given the power to adopt summer time. They recognised that there were difficulties, but the measure would not affect the railway or steamer services or the Post and Telegraph Department. They relied on those services being able to meet the altered conditions.

While he had introduced the Bill to try to meet the very strong demand that existed for summer time, he did not regard the new measure as being anything like so satisfactory as the former measure. He was quite sure the Act of last session had not been thoroughly tried. What the deputation wanted was the Premier’s assurance that facilities would be given to enable Parliament to deal with the new measure.

Replying to the deputation, Mr. Coates said that the proposal was entirely new to him and would require some consideration. He failed to see how transport could be arranged to meet the cases of difficulty that would arise. He thought that there was legislative authority now for local authorities to adopt daylight saving if they wished to do so.

Mr. Sidey said that awards of the Arbitration Court and certain statutes prevented this being done.

Mr. Coates said that he would not like to make a definite commitment that the Bill would be given all the facilities of a Government Bill. He would consider the matter and let Mr. Sidey know what facilities could be given. If members had decided views on the matter, that in itself would have some influence on what facilities should be given. The Deputy-Mayor of Wellington said that he and others had indications from a good many members who had opposed the former Bill and who represented country constituencies that they would support the present proposal.. DUNEDIN CITY SUPPORTS. Dunedin, August 10. The City Council decided to telegraph to the Prime Minister approving of the scheme for daylight saving for cities.