DAYLIGHT SAVING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19889, 7 March 1928, Page 14

DAYLIGHT SAVING.

Sir, —Even the indolent and fatalistic among us, who bow the head quietly to decrees and by-laws, are moved to take sides on the question of summer time. The economic aspects of the case will receive full consideration and publicity through the medium of public bodies and commercial organisations. I am sure that the general effect on the young, in family and educational circles, is pernicious. The difficulty of securing adequate hours of sleep for very young children has been by no means exaggerated. but. further, the general shortening of the time available for evening occupations is not altogether a good thing for the youth of the community, or even for its adult life. , Home studies, music and reading are either crowded out, or commenced at an unduly late hour, after a meal too long delayed. One must sympathise with those who find very delightful, after a hot day in shops arid offices, three hours available for sport; but surely in this climate the average summer, with' Standard time, provides sufficient opportunities for recreation out-of-doors, without the sense of bodily fatigue and the curtailing of educational interests which this change involves. If parents and teachers keep silence in the matter their troubles will be repeated next summer, and thev need not blame those members of the community who are free to consult solely their own interests and convenience. Pedagogue.

Sir, —As a struggling farmer I would like to give my opinion on the Daylight Saving Act. From my experience I reckon it was one of the best Acts ever passed in favour of the dairy farmer. For the past three months, with one man, I started milking at 4.50 a.m., finished milking at 6 a.m., breakfast 6.15 a.m. We then started work on the farm at 6.45 a.m.,' cutting tea-tree and various other work until 6 p.m. We got a good dav's work done and improved the farm 100 per cent, better than we could do in the old time. We theft started milking at 6.15 p.m., finishing at 8.15 p.m. in the daylight, giving us plenty of time afterwards to enjoy an hour or two listening to the wireless concerts before we retired to bed. Thanks to Mr. Sidey, and as a.dairv farmer I wish him every success in the future. Toiling Cockie.

Sir,—The discussion on daylight saving during the summer months has become generally a question of town versus country, the town favouring extended evenings for sports, and the country objecting because of inconvenience to dairy farmers. A referendum would create a certain amount of antagonism between town and country, which is undesirable. I suggest that an arrangement could be evolved that would suit both by the towns starting an hour earlier in the mornings and leaving off an hour earlier in the evenings without alteration of the clocks, the trains keeping to standard time, also schools in country districts, and the schools m towns as the parents prefer. W.H,

Sir, —Daylight saving has ended, the majority of farmers say for ev<jr with good reason. Why should we sslfish "townies" want the clock altered to suit our whims? After all we can always please ourselves whether we take advantage of long evenings for games or gardening, or rest and 101 l about as we feel inclined, whereas we want to compel the farmer who always does work from daylight till dark, to get up another hour earlier. I think it a very selfish move. The advantages it may have are not sufficient to recompense the disadvantages it has for farmers, mothers and all those engaged in domestic duties. The farmer, we admit unanimously, is the backbone of the country, and therefore should have first consideration. T would also like to know if those politicians are sincere when they deplore the drift to the towns, and then pass legislation which makes the towns still more attractive for the people. 'Tennts Player.

Sir, —Well, wo have come back to the old time at last, and are thankful for a more stupid measure was never brought in. I may say that I am by a local body, and have horses and implements to look after. 1 have to be up at 5 o'clock every morning, which as Sidey s time is really 4 o'clock. Now, all this summer 1 have had ,to use the electric light every morning; it the first time in my life that I have had to turn on the light in the summer mornings, and I hope it will never happen again. If town people want it, let them have it, but do not bring it into force again for those in the country. They sav Sidev time suits all the sporting folk. Well, all I can say is that a little less sport and a bit more work would do more good No wonder things in general are not s' hat they ought to be. A first-class farm hand is almost a thing of the past. And why 7 Because there is far too much running about with motor-cars and recrcatioi . and Mr. Sidey wants to give tbemi mere. Let him try his hand at farming; for a while, and see how he likes it. Old Waikato.