SUMMER TIME BILL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3854, 6 October 1928, Page 3

SUMMER TIME BILL.

CLOCKS TO BE ADVANCED HALF-AN-HOUR. FROM OCTOBER TO MARCH. Wellington, Last Night. By Governor-General’s message a Summer Time Bill Avas introduced to-night. Mr T. Iv. Sidey asked the Government if the Bill gave effect to the recommendations of the committee Avhich recently considered this question. Mr P. Fraser said the mandate of the country Avas for one hour’s summer time. Noav that the Government Avas convinced that the principle of summer time was right, there should be no grudging acquiescence in the Avill of the people. He said there should be no half-hour, but a full hour, as was enjoyed last summer. Mr A. M. Samuel said he regretted the challenge thrown out by Mr Fraser to those who had been opposed to the Bill earlier in the session. This Avas a time of compromise and sAveet reasonableness. This was an endeavour to place the Bill on the Statute Book in experimental form and in such a way as to meet the wishes of the majority of the people, and Avhen he found a challenge thrown out by the member for Wellington Central, it made his British blood boil..lf for no other reason than that it Avas a compliment to Mr Sidey, he wished the measure well. Hon. W. D. Stewart said the Bill advanced Standard Time from the second Sunday in October till the third Sunday in March. So far as the shearing and threshing industries Avere concerned the Bill contained the same provision as the last Bill, viz.: that they can work to Standard Time unless they agree to Avork to summer time.

In replying to Mr Holland, Mr Stewart said not all members of the Government party would vote for the Bill but who felt it would receive such a volume of support as would secure its passage into law. The Bill was read a first time. Hon. W. D. Stewart moved the second reading of the Bill, explaining the provisions. Mr Sidey thanked the Government for bringing down the Bill, and expressed regret that the people were not to get the advantage of a full hour. However, the Bill was another step forward towards his ideal and for that he was grateful. The Bill was read a second time on the voices. The House then went into committee on the Bill, which was put through the committee stage without amendment. The House was left sitting.