WAKING 'EM UP

NZ Truth, Issue 1186, 23 August 1928, Page 6

WAKING 'EM UP

Local Bodies Asleep Too Long If there is anything more farcical than the rejection of the Daylight Saving Bill and the substitution of local measures for providing extra hours' of summer, ( "N.Z. Truth" would be glad to hear of it. BY some extraordinary feat of mental exercise, the House of Representatives discarded what undoubtedly was the 'major opinion of New Zealand's citizenry and precipitated the country IntOj a condition of bewilderment. . ' ! Ever since the measure was exorcised from, the list of New Zealand's potential legislation, the columns of. daily newspapers have been choked with advices concerning whole-hearted proposals from towns ,and cities whose inhabitants desire a daylight conservation scheme of their own. From observations made within the period from date of rejection to the time of writing, it seems that too late have the people' qf this country reached the stage of Realization that this national scheme of Sidey's can have no effect other than that of lasting good. - This circumstance is true, however, of human nature, whatever the cause or whatever the objectprejudice against any proposition m which may be detected a slight element of the unusual; long howls of execration when the proposal is vetoed or affirmed. The adult example of "Mary, Mary, quite contrary," surely? All the busy little bodies of local government, chambers of commerce, borough councils and sporting bodies have received a sharp stab from the hatpin of realization — a pain which reminds them of their own lethargy m failing to organize a campaign which would ensure the. passage of Sidey's sensible scheme. Now their little pride has been hurt, they are crying loudly for permission to effect legislation permitting them to conduct individual schemes of sunshine saving — but they don't deserve it. Where was" their moral stamina when Sidey appealed to their judgment; how quickly did their senses y react? „ They merely waited for the man .m the .next county to pave the " way— and too late they discovered he was asleep. The bewilderirig clamor for. individual enactments shjbuld be a salutary lesson to those who now bemoan the dumping of national daylight — a stimulating jolt to those who relied upon the other man to see it through.