SAVING THE DAYLIGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14003, 8 March 1909, Page 5

SAVING THE DAYLIGHT.

AN IMPORTANT MEASURE. SECOND READING CARRIED. By Telegraph.—Press Association.— (Received March 7,, 4.30 p.m.) London, March 6. Me. E. R. Willett's Daylight Saving Bill to advance the clock one hour in April and set it back in September is being increasingly supported in business circles. Labour members opposed the second reading of the Bill in the House of Commons. Mr. Winston Churchill and Mr. Lloyd George supported the measure, but the Government as a body adopted a neutral attitude. The second reading was carried by 130 votes-to 94. The minority consisted mostly of members representing agricultural districts. ■}_ . ■ Last session ' the Government directed the Board of Trade to make an independent inquiry into the daylight-saving proposals, and Mr. Winston Churchill promised to meet Mr. Will to discuss the matter., Mr. Willett, it is stated, asked the President of the Board of Trade to support a Bill which would provide for an alteration, of only 20 minutes during the'first year. His object is to meet the objection raised to the proposal by the London Stock Exchange and the Liverpool Cotton Exchange. They point out that if English time is altered by an hour, the effect will be to extinguish the advantage at present enjoyed by the markets in England and New York being open simultaneously for one hour each day. Mr. Willett urges that if a 20 minutes' alteration is agreed to for the first year, the English and New York Exchanges will still be in direct communication with each other for 40 minutes daily. He hopes that thereafter the United Sates will .adopt a similar measure, and so obviate all difficulties. Mr. Willett claims that public opinion is increasingly in favour of his proposals. A hundred and thirtyeight members of the House of Commons, and 44 members of the House of Lords, promised him their support. Twentyeight corporations and town councils, including the Common Council of the city of London, have passed resolutions/ in favour of a Daylight Saving Bill, as also has the Convention of Royal Burghs (Edinburgh). Similar resolutions have been adopted by the Chambers of Commerce of London, Liverpool (conditional), Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Bristol, Glasgow, Dublin, and other of the principal towns in the kingdom. Daylight saving proposals are arousing considerable interest in the colonies. Dr.' Richard Arthur, M.L.A., president of the Immigration • League of Australia, ■ proposes to introduce a similar Bill in the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales. Dr. Arthur has written to Mr. Willett intimating his intention of pushing on an agitation in favour of such measures all over Australia. Mr. Willett has also enthusiastic converts in South Africa, Germany, and France.