SUMMERTIME BILL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19836, 8 July 1926, Page 9

SUMMERTIME BILL.

A MATTER FOE PARLIAMENT. DEPUTATION TO PRIME MINISTER. ;Pk, United Pbess Association.) WELLINGTON. July 7, A deputation, which it was claimed represented all sections of the community, waited on the Prime Minister to make a plea for a “fair spin” for Mr Sidey’a Summertime Bill, which will come before the House this evening. In replying, Mr Coates said no one could but b© impressed with the sizo and quality of the deputation. All the arguments that had been adduced would be heard again when the Bill was under discussion. Personallyi he would vote against the Bill. He had no reason to take any other action than vote as he thought fit. It was a nonparty measure, and he had not known the Government, to take any other attitude in regard to it. Members of the House could vote upon it as they thought fit. They could be assured that Mr Sidey would get a fair spin so far as he was concerned. One speaker had referred to the farmers’ side of the case, but there was a lot more to bo said about that. If Parliament wanted the Bill they would get it. Although, personally he did not agree with the principle, he had no other interest in it. _ So far as the farmers were concerned, nine-tenths of them already worked an hour ahead of the clock. Then, again, with regard to trains, he said that if time were advanced the railways would have to comply in the same way as everything also. If the country wanted summertime it could have it, and the railways would fall into line. They were after business all the time. A member of the deputation interjected that the department probably would get more business out of the change. “The Bill will get a run, and a fair run.” Mr Coates assured the deputation. Parliament could deal with it on its merits, and the rest was only a matter of machinery. A majority decision in the House would decide the question.