Calendar Reformers Aiming At Wierd New Chromology

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 18, 3 February 1948, Page 4

Calendar Reformers Aiming At Wierd New Chromology

Sunday observance, a 17-centuries old tradition, will be ended if modern calendar reformers have their way. Their juggling seems to aim at producing a chronology fully worthy of the age of surrealism and boogie-woogie. In cold print the plan looks a bit wierd, but its sponsors believe it would simplify the industrial week.

The idea is to reorganise the setup of the weeks and the days of the year to such an extent that the ageold week will be changed with its days in different place and at different times of the year, so that never again will the world know a uniform and stable week. Sunday, recognised as the first day of the week since the beginning of the Christian era, will, in 1951, have its name changed to Saturday and instead of the traditional first day of the week become the last. Some other day will receive the attributes of Sunday. The original first day of the week will become Friday, but will be placed sixth; only for the first six months however. During the last half of ’52 it will be called Thursday, holding fifth place. It will become Wednesday in- 1953 and be in fourth place and so on until 1956. In 1956 it will resume its old position and be the first day of the week for the first six months then off it goes, meandering again. This is to be the reformed week. The reformers are regulating the irregularities. The irregularities are such things as irregular numbers of working days in the month and odd days in the quarters of the year. The reason for proposing to bring this new calendar in, in 1950 is the fact that it starts off on a Sunday and the new order will start with as little bump as possible. When the 364th day of 1950 arrives, the year must end because the new calendar only allows for 364 days, therefore the world will never know another 31st of December. This old 31st is not allowed to be called the 31st nor yet Sunday the first, it is to be a spare day, one that will have a special name yet to be created.

Now, so that 1951 may begin with a Sunday, January 1, 1951, is rechristened. It remains January 1 but not’Monday the second day. It is moved back from Monday the second day, to Sunday, the first day of the week ©f 1951.

Consequently Christ’s resurrection day, that should be observed on Sunday January 8 is concealed as Saturday, January 7. The disadvantages of this new calendar lie in the effect it has on religion, but the advantages would be noticed in the business world.