SURPRISE OF DYING DAYS OF SESSION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 237, 6 October 1928, Page 9

SURPRISE OF DYING DAYS OF SESSION

SUMMER-TIME BILL HALF-HOUR COMPROMISE ("Chronicle” Special Parliamentary Service.— Copyright throughout New Zealand.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 5. The surprise of the last few days lof the session was the appearance late to-night by Governor’s message of a Bill to provide a half-hour Summertime though the country from the second Sunday in October. This Bill which is the result partly of the recommendation of the select committee which reported on Mr Sidey’s Local Summertime Bill, and partly of the strenuous representations made by Mr Sidey since that Bill -was withdrawn, was approved by the Reform caucus this morning and made its appearaee to-night. Not until this afternoon was any intimation given to the rank and file that it was definitely coming forward. Mr Sidey asked if the Bill was to give precise effect to the recommendations of the Summertime Committee.

Mr W. S. Glenn also wanted to know what form the Bill was to take. Were shearing and harvesting exempted? Mr P. Fraser: How is it that the member for Rangitikei knows nothing about the Bill? Has he not been consulted and is the opposition to Summertime now on its deathbed? I hope this time there will be no grudging acquiescence to the wishes of the majority. Mr Fraser said that half an hour might be better than nothing, but he thought the Government, having recognised its mistake, should introduce the full hour. Mr A. M. Samuel said that Mr Fraser was throwing out a challenge before he knew what was in the Bill. Those who opposed national Summertime before were opposed to it on their convictions. Mr Fraser ’s challenge made his British blood boil. (Laughter). Air D. G. Sullivan congratulated Mr Sidey on his triumph over obstacles, and Mr Samuel on his change of heart. Mr H. T. Armstrong said the Bill was a “half-pic” effort to save the face of the Government.

Air W. S. Glonn pointed out that the select committee which examined Mr Sidey’s Local Summertime Bill had recommended a half-hour compromise. This Bill was tho result. The Hon. Downie Stewart said that the Bill was to provide for advancing clocks half an hour from the second Sunday in October to the third Sunday in Alarch. The same clauses as last year were inserted to cover threshing and shearing. Afr Fraser’s speech, added Afr Downie Stewart, had been extremely provocative and might cause difficulty in getting tho Bill through. Afr H. E. Holland: Is this a Government measure? Mr Downie Stewart: Yes, but we can’t expect every member of our own party to vote for it. We think, however, thr.t it will secure sufficient support to carry it through. The Bill was read a first time.