DAYLIGHT SAVING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2573, 6 August 1909, Page 5

DAYLIGHT SAVING.

DISCUSSION AT AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE. [Per Purrs Association.) WELLING! v. August 5. At the A. and P. Societies’ Conference yesterday the president (Air. D. D. Mncfarlane) moved re daylight saving: “That it bo a recommendation to the Government that' between the third Mondav in October and the third Sunday in Alarc-li the local time shall be cue hour in advance of New Zealand mean time in Now Zealand, the object being to secure an earlier attendance at work in the summer months, and the enlargement of the period of leisure in the afternoon and evening.” He said that the principle had been adopted in Cincinnatti. In the House of Commons a Daylight Saving Bill passed bv 30 votes. Here he thought the agricultural community would welcome the change proposed. He instanced the case of one settler, whose shepherds went to work at 5.30, and stopped at 2.30, having the rest of the day to theinselves. The system worked most satisfactorily. Air. 0. B. Pemberton (Canterbury) seconded the motion. Air. G. E. AYlieeler (Manawatu) opposed the motion. If “daylight saving ’ wag wanted, it could best be accomplished by private arrangement between employer and employed. What of the railways? . Air. W. C. BucEanan said all work and no play made Jack a proverbially dull boy. In liis opinion, the thing for the country workers would be not to give them hours or half-hours, but several days periodically at the most convenient time. Mr, J. G. Harkness said the president had not advanced sufficient reasons in support of his motion. The motion did not affect agriculture. It was general and far-reaching in its scope. Unfortunately the spirit of confidence between employer and employed had largely been destroyed. If anything, the motion should express the advisableness of mutual arrangement between master and man. Mr. N. Kettle (Napier), as a business man. heartily supported the motion. Thero were thousands of young men m offices to whom half an hour in the evening meant everything. The suggosted change would not interfere with commerce in the slightest if all the houses observed the change. Several speakers opposed the motion In reply, the president said that if the change wore universally made it simpiv amounted to this, that on the third* Sunday in October every person would find his watch one hour slow and on the third Sunday in Alarch one hour fast. , The motion was lost by a narrow majority.