DAYLIGHT SAVING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5199, 4 November 1927, Page 2

DAYLIGHT SAVING.

COUNTY COUNCIL’S' ATTITUDE

OBJECTION TAKEN TO MEASURE.

The bringing into operation of the Summer-time Act, and its effect, was kajenly discussed at yesterday’s meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council. The subject was introduced by Cr. C. E. Mace, who suggested that the

council follow the daylight-saving time.

The chairman (Cr. H. M, Corbett) said that he thought it, was scarcely worth while changing. “I am opposed to the measure., .and I do not think it will survive another year,” he concluded. Similar views were expressed by Cr. W. F. Johnstone, who moved that the council meet an hour later during the time the Act was in force. In support of his resolution Cr. Johnstone said that the councillors represented a farming community, and an objection to the measure on pripciple should be voiced. Undoubtedly the Act had been brought down for the benefit of the cities and the sports bodies without giving a thought or consideration to the primary producer.

In seconding the resolution Cr. C. Mason said he was strongly oppose*! to the Bill, and considered that the Government might very well have better employed the time in dealing with more important and urgent business. He, was surprised at the Prime Minister countenancing such a ridiculous measure. Consideration should be given to the children, who would be more severely penalised than others. The life of a child on the average dairy farm was hard, and the hours worked in daylight were long enough as it was. It was recognised that it was largely due to the efforts' of the women and children that the; dairying industry was what it was in Taranaki to-day, and the Act was, in his opinion, manifestly unfair. The dairy fanner could not work to regular hours, or if he did he: would not make ends meet, and yet he was to be further penalised and inconvenienced by the absurd piece of legislation for the sake of the city dwellers. The chairman said that now the Act had become law the council would have to put up with it during the next threie Cr. Johnstone spoke of the hardship that would be imposed on children who had a long distance to travel to school, and agreed with Cr. Mason that the measure would act unfairly upon them. There was bound to be confusion, especially as the Dairy Company was not altering its time except in such districts where the cream cartage Services connected with the railway. The Bill was grossly unfair to the primary producer, who, apparently, had been shown no consideration whatever.

It was the opinion of Cr. F. C. Hubbard that the women and children would be the most adversely affected, but he did not see that any goo.d purpose, could be served by prolonging the discussion.

The motion was then put and carried on the showing of hands.