The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1916. AN INOPPORTUNE SOCIAL EXPERIMENT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2839, 2 August 1916, Page 4

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1916. AN INOPPORTUNE SOCIAL EXPERIMENT

t The Pkihe Minister was justified •in the protest which he made against the proposal to' add a daylight saving clause to the War Legislation Bill. Though the motion did not actually" contraveno the Standing Orders of tne House, it requires a considerable stretch, of the imagination to see a, reasonable connection between Mr. Sidey's proposal and the general intention of the Bill. The daylight saving clause is not really war legislation as far as New Zealand is concerned, and Me. Sidey's attempt to show that it would help- the Empire to win tho war was feeble in the extreme. His assertion that it would save tho country £75,000 a year was simply a gucss,_ based on very uncertain assumptions. His strongest argument was that it would provide additional opportunities for tho indulgence' in outdoor sports. This is a_ point of view which deserves consideration, but the need for action, is certainly not sufficiently urgent to justify tho provocation of a bitter wrangle between town and country members in this time of war. There can be no doubt that the great majority of the farmers of' New Zealand are strongly opposed to daylight saving legislation. They do not want it, and will not nave it unless it is absolutely forced upon them. They declare that it would hamper and hinder them in their work. They contend that its disadvantages would far outweigh its benefits,- and in a matter of this kind their practical experience should count lor more than . Mr. Sidey's cheerful assurances' that he ! can increase their happiness and prosperity by moving the hands of tho_ clock. It is a great mistake to jump to tho conclusion that what has been done in Britain with_rcgard to daylight saving should be done in New Zealand. The circumstances arp entirely different. The special reasons which led the British Government to take action in this matter do not hold good as far as Now Zealand is concerned. The manufacture of munitions has to be maintained at the highest possible rate England. The country is one huge arsenal. The necessity for eoonomy in ,the consumption of coal has also to be considered. Daylight saving legislation was passed mainly with the object of facilitating the work of the munition factories, and of making the coal supply go as far as possible. But ammunition-making is not tho principal industry of Now Zealand. From the industrial point of view New Zealand can best serve tho Empire in this crisis by the plentiful production of wool, moat, and dairy produce. This is no time to make social experiments in direct opposition to tho wishes of the pcoplo who are engaged in theso all-important agricultural industries. The attempt to force them to change their working hours and habits can only result in irritation, bitterness, and resentment. The will do well to reconsider the'matter. Mn. Sidey's motion came as a surprise to many mem-, tiers, and there was a very noticeable tondoncy to stifle reasonable discussion on the proposal. Now that members have had an opportunity of giving more thought to tho question it is to be hoped that they will see that the time is not opportune for inaugurating a change of this character. They will have another chance of voting on Mr. Sidey's clause,'., and it may bo expected that on reconsideration it will be rejected.