DAYLIGHT SAVING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3693, 20 September 1927, Page 3

DAYLIGHT SAVING.

ENGLAND’S EXPERIENCE.

Auckland, September 19

“If the experience of England is any guide, daylight-saving will be a complete success in New Zealand,” said the Right Hon. Edward Shortt, K.C., who is visiting New Zealand on a’business mission.

Mr. Shortt, who was Secretary of State for Home Affairs in Mr. Lloyd Geosge’s Ministry from 1919 to 1922, was in charge ‘of the Bill of 1922 in the House of Commons which prolonged the summer-time system introduced during the war. “I notice the Bill which passed its third reading in the House of Representatives the other day has been criticised on almost similar lines to the opposition voiced at the time in Britain,” said Mr. Shortt. “Our opposition came mainly from the agricultural section and from various women’s societies which were afraid that the principle would act to the detriment of the children’s health. However, all objections raised have been shown to be groundless, and Britain, I am convinced, will never go back on the system, as the feeling in its favour is growing every year.” An amusing incident was recalled by Mr. Shortt, who explained that the period during which summertime was to be effective was left in his discretion to fix. He believed lie chose the first Sunday in April as the effective date; he remembered clearly, however, that on the first day of summer-time the country lay inches deep in snow, and lie suffered considerable good-na-tured “chaff” in consequence. The system was introduced gradually in Britain, said Mr. Shortt, and an arrangement had been secured whereby summer-time'in France and Belgium was in use during the same period as in England.