VACATION TIME

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1930, Page 3

VACATION TIME

SIR T. SIDNEY'S NEW IDEA. (By Telegraph—For Press Associat.on.) WETiLINGTON, March 3. The holding of the long summer vacations in New Zealand during February and March, instead of at the Xmas and New Year periods, as at present, was a suggestion advanced by the Attorney-General (Hon. Sir Thomas Sidey) when reviewing to-day the operatiuo of the permanent Summer Time Act. Sir Thomas, who is known to New Zealand as the “father fo daylight saving,’’ expressed the conviction that- the country would never go back on summer time, but rather would support its extension. The possibility of the half hour being observed throughout the North Island all the yeiar round was mentioned. “The period of summer time is drawing to a close and in less than a fortnight, March 16, to be precise, the clocks will he put back by half an' hour,” said Sir Thomas. “It will, be generally agreed that the weather conditions in New Zealand are as a rule much more settled in February and March than they are in December and January. Might it not bo better to have only say twto days’ holiday at ’Xmas and two days at New Year, or at the most a holiday of a week and arrange for our schools to take their long summer vacation in February and running into March? “The same suggestion applies to the long vacation of the Supreme Court, and to the arrangements we make by which there is a cessation of meetings of various bodies at present during the month of January.” Jn reply to a question, Sir Thomas said the scheme he had proposed could apply to all cases, including factories, offices and all classes of business houses where holidays ol two or three weeks were at present given.” If Easter wetti fixed for some date in March, the long vacation might be so arranged as to commence in February and end on a date which would include the Easter holidays. He added: “As far as the North Island is concerned, there is no doubt that the half hour daylight saving might be introduced without much inconvenience for all the year round. It would not, however, suit the southern portion of New Zealand during the winter months.”