DAYLIGHT SAVING

Evening Star, Issue 19805, 2 March 1928, Page 4

DAYLIGHT SAVING

SOiE REPRESENTATIVE VIEWS ORGANISATION AGAINST RENEWAL [Special to the * Stab.’] WELLINGTON, March I. Has Daylight Saving been a success? Opinions can be secured in Wellington either way, though the probability is that in any city the favorable ones predominate, Educationists are not altogether unanimous, for there are some doubtful teachers who think that the younger children in particular have been more tired in afternoons this summer, a condition not fully explained by the long spell of hot weather. Mr G. A. Troup (mayor of Wellington), who might lie expected to take a general and unbiassed view, approves without qualification. “I think it has been,” he said, “of general benefit. It has not interfered with business, and people seem to have got recreation opportunities which they certainly could not have obtained but for the longer evenings, while others have devoted more time to their own homes and gardens. To such an extent is the latter evident, that in any suburb one can see the improvement.” “Has the tramway revenue suf fared, ” the mayor was asked. He did not think there had been a drop, for lie believed the number of passengers carried over the period would be found at least equal to that of tho corresponding period last year. “Where the revenue has suffered, I dclieve,” added Mr Troup, “ is where electricity consumers have saved by using more daylight and less artificial light. There must be a slight decrease In our lighting revenue. Daylight saving has made, in my opinion, for improvement in the general health of the people, and that is the most important point of all.” FARMING OPINION ORGANISED. The reverse of the picture was secured when opinions were invited from Colonel Pow, dominion secretary of the New Zealand Farmers’ Onion, who explained that tho dominion executive had resolved to get the farmers and their wives all over tho dominion to sign a petition to Parliament asking that the Daylight Saving measure be not renewed. The reasons to be, adduced will be mainly, hardships to farmers’ wives and children, and the union will collect specific information on this point from every province. SHOP ASSISTANTS' SATISFIED. There is unanimity among shop assistants that Daylight Saving has given them recreation chances they never before enjoyed. This was tho declaration of Mr A. W. Croskery, secretary of the Federated Shop Assistants’ Unions of New- Zealand. Shops dose at 5.30, and under Sidey time, he explained, the employees get a good spell of daylight for recreation, which they did not get under former conditions. They are now able to join various recreation clubs. “ No, I am sure it has not had a had effect on business,” added Mr Croskery, in answer to this question. “ Everybody else, is in thesunlight, so the retail business does not suffer. While our union has not taken definite steps to ensure the continuation of the Daylight Saying measure, if there was any serious threat to it I am sure our members would do their best to maintain the position.”