DAYLIGHT SAVING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20070, 6 October 1928, Page 12

DAYLIGHT SAVING.

GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL. ADVANCE OF HALF-HOUR. OPERATION THIS MONTH. HOUSE EXPECTED TO PASS BILL. [jiy telegraph.—special reporter] WELLINGTON, Friday. The Government has decided to accept the recommendation of the Select Committee on the Local Summertime Bill that the clocks should be advanced half-an-hour from the second Sunday in October (thp 14th) until the third Sunday in March. A bill to give effect to the recommendation was introduced by Governor-General s Message to-night. The scheme is to have effect for one year. It contains the same clauses as the measure of last year, with regard to the shearing and harvesting operations being conducted according to ordinary standard time. Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) asked whether the Government Party had been consulted hi regard to the measure and whether it could be taken that the opposition to the bill was on its death-bed. He trusted there would bo no grudging acquiescence. The opposition in the past had been fanatical, and yet in spite of it he trusted the Government would provide for the advancement of tho clock for an hour, as was the case last year. Mr. A. M. Samuel (Ohinernuri) said Mr. Eraser's remarks constituted a challenge to the opposition to summer time. What was wanted was a spirit of sweet reasonableness and a desire to do something that would bo acceptable to all the people. For the sake of Mr. T. K. Sidey, if for no other reason, he wished the bill every success. A clear indication of opposition was given by Mr. J. C. Rollcston (Waitomo), whose contribution to the debate was confined to the statement that "his views on daylight saving had not changed since he came into Parliament." Mr. H. T. Armstrong (Christchurch East), was afraid the measure was "a half-pie one" to save tho Government s face with the electors of New Zealand. A Member: Nonsense; let us get on with the bill. Replying ou behalf of tho Government the Minister of Finance, Hon. W. Downio Stewart, said the bill gave effect to the recommendations- by tho committee, namely, the advancement of. standard time by half an hour from tho second Sunday in October to the third Sunday in March. In regard to the shearing and threshing industries, it was at present proposed' to provide for their working to standard time unless mutual agreements to the contrary were made. Tho Minister said the bill was a Government measure, but it could not be expected that every member of the party would vote for it. Nevertheless, he thought there would be sufficient support to place it on the Statute Book. The bill was read a first time, and the further stages postponed until later in the sitting. It is confidently expected that tho House will pass the bill in the early hours of the morning.