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Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1928, Page 2

It would appear that Parliament acted rather hurriedly early in the session in dropping the daylight saving measure. The manoeuvring which has gone on since his resulted in a definite report to the House from a responsible Committee, suggesting a compromise on the subject of general daylight saving in preference to partial observance bv the permissive legislation proposed for town centres. The definite suggestion, or rather rnconim'Qndntion, to the Co ;

vernmont is to legislate for the observance by the permissive legislation proposed for town centres. The definite suggestion, or rather recommendation, to tlie Government is to legislate for the observance of half an hour, instead of one hour, over a stipulated period. Seeing that the House has reached this frame of mind, and the recommendation was adopted without opposition, it would appear the earlier veto was reached rather hurriedly.. The town denizens who woke up rather late when they found country interests predominant, were evidently bent on making daylight saving applicable to the towns. It is obvious, however, that a time for the towns and another time an hour behind for the country would ho really impracticable. The railways and postal services would be at variance with the artificial time adopted by the towns which decided to institute a local change, and the result would be much confusion. Realising nill the possibilities 6f what might come to pass, the Committee of the House has suggested a. compromise by fixing the period of daylight saving universally at half an hour. On the linos that half a loaf is better than none, probably this would be accepted gracefully by tile town advocates, with the hope that later they may recover the whole hour. The country people have not been heard yet on the compromise,' though they will probably he prepared to accept it, providing it is not a stepping stone to a. greater concession later. It seems clear, howover, that there is a considerable public opinion favouring the principle of daylight saving, and having got such a favourable recommendation at this stage, will bo looking for something more in keeping with their desires later. Looking hack to the experience last summer it seems difficult to understand the weight of opinion in objection to the principle, hut that it is coiisiderble is beyond doubt. If the matter is not settled by compromise now, it is sure to he a subject for keen debate and active agitation in the future.