EARLIER DAYLIGHT SAVING

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1013, 2 July 1930, Page 1

EARLIER DAYLIGHT SAVING

RELIEVING THE POWER SHORTAGE POSTMASTER-GENERAL’S SUGGESTION IF daylight saving began this year a fortnight earlier than in 1929 and normal time were restored a fortnight later in 1931, this would be the alteration to the clock giving maximum assistance to the Auckland Electric-Power Board in its endeavour to save electricity, according to Professor P. W. Burbidge, professor of physics at the Auckland University College. The professor was invited this morning to discuss a suggestion by the Postmaster-General, the Hon. J. B. Donald, that the earlier introduction of Summer Time might help to relieve the power difficulty.

After looking into a proposal by the chairman of the board, Mr. W. JHoldsworth, that daylight saving he Introduced a month or six weeks earlier and continued a month later (the plan being an elaboration of the Minister’s idea). Professor Burbidge made the foregoing recommendation. The question, ne said, was rather one of the time of sunrise and sunset than a consideration of the number of hours of daylight. If the people switched on their lights later, then a saving in power would naturally be effected. Of three schemes for extension put before him the professor said that the one most likely to prove most effective would be that of a fortnight each end. In this scheme the sun would set, by summer time, at 6.21 p.m. on the last Sunday in September and at 6.20 p.m. ou the last Sunday in March. These would be the first and the last days respectively of (he operation of daylight saving by this scheme. If the extension were made for four weeks either way, sunset on the first and last day respectively would be 6.9 p.m. and 6 p.m. But sunrise would be then at about 6.30 a.m., and manv people would use lighting power in, the morning. RISING BEFORE SUN Although in the second scheme a certain saving would be effected, it was not thought that people would ne willing to extend the time during which they must rise before the sun. Another suggestion for an extension of four weeks at the end of the usual period would probably not lie as effective or acceptable as the first. These times were worked out on a basis of the statutory half-hour of daylight saving. If the time were increased to an hour, further light would be used in the mornings, an:] with au extension of the period, au hour less of daylight in the morning would be objected to by the community generally. The most important

consideration of the public would he the time at which the sun apparently rises and sets according to the altered ! clock. “The question of an extension of the period of daylight saving is one for the community in general to settle,” said Professor Burbidge. “If the peak traffic load and the peak lighting load can be separated in the evening, there would be a greater saving, and less likelihood of severe strain on the power plant. “Probably all cases would be best met if the duration of daylight saving were extended a fortnight at both the beginning and the end of the present period,” said the professor. FULL HOUR LIKELY MAY START NEXT MONTH MINISTER FAVOURABLE THE SUN'S Parliamentary Reporter WELLINGTON, Today. Representations have been made to the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. W. B. Taverner, that Daylight Saving Time should start this year in August instead of October. This is to apply to the North Island only, and is to be for a full hour instead of half an hour. If this action Is taken, and the Minister says that he is favourable, it will materially help the Auckland Power Board out of its present trouble. Mr. Taverner stated today that he would consult tv" colleagues on the subject and if they were agreeable special legislation would be put through the House to enable daylight saving to operate as desired next month. Mr. W. J. Holdsworth, chairman of the Auckland Power Board, welcomes the suggestion that daylight saving should start next month. It will ease considerably the afternoon peak load for light and power and hell) the board to meet tile situation.