WILD BUSH

Southland Times, Issue 20497, 28 May 1928, Page 3

WILD BUSH

LITERARY AND DEBATING SOCIETY. (From Our Correspondent.) On Monday 21st inst a very interesting debate was held, the subject being: “That Daylight Saving is beneficial to the Dominion of New Zealand.” Some 26 members were present, Mr J. Watson presiding The speakers for the affirmative were Mrs J. Ross, supported by Mrs W. Anderson, and for the negative Mr T. Guise, supported by Mr R. Stevens. In opening the debate Mrs Ross explained the principle features of daylight saving leading up to the incidence of its adoption for a trial in New Zealand. The measure had proved very successful in the towns but not so successful in the country districts. It had to be remembered that daylight saving aimed chiefly at giving the towndweller what the country people always enjoyed, more fresh air and sunshine. In this it was a pronounced success, and nobody in the country who paused to think would try to withhold from their friends in the town what was so necessary for their health. Mr Guise contended that there was no necessity for daylight saving in New Zealand. If people in the towns needed more fresh air and exercise let them seek it as the farmers did in the early morning. If daylight saving meant that townspeople would be compelled to rise at 3.30 a.m. standard time there would be very few in favour of it. For the sake of this extra hour of sport in the evening the health of the people in the country, especially the children, had to suffer. In supporting Mrs Ross, Mrs Anderson drew attention to the very rapid growth of the towns, while in the country there was actually a decline in number of those engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr Stevens, in seconding Mr Guise, considered that the old division of hours of work and leisure was quite satisfactory. The period of daylight in New Zealand in summer time was long enough for all purposes. The open discussion which followed in which almost everyone took part was very lively and interesting. The leaders in reply were very effective making use of every opportunity to make good their case. The voting resulted in a win for the negative. At the next meeting on June 4 the subject for debate is: “That men are greater slaves to fashion than women.”