1.—15

2

EEPOET. The Committee, to whom was referred the New Zealand Local Time Bill, have the honour to report : — 1. That the Committee have considered the said Bill, and have examined witnesses representing the Marine Department, Education Department, Labour Department, New Zealand Employers' Federation, New Zealand Press Association, Civil Service Association, New Zealand athletic bodies, bankers, and merchants; also several members of the Wellington Philosophical Institute. 2. That the Bill proposes the adoption of a local time, one hour in advance of New Zealand mean time, from the end of September to the end of March, with the object of promoting the earlier use of daylight during the summer, and providing during that period of the year one hour more of daylight than at present after ordinary working-hours. 3. That the Committee find :— ((I.) That such object is a desirable one, and would benefit the community generally, and especially indoor workers and young people of school age. (li.) That the proposal would effect a saving in expenditure on artificial light both for industrial and domestic purposes. (r.) That the weight of evidence submitted was in favour of the Bill. (d.) That the main objection disclosed by the evidence was the public inconvenience that might result from the later arrival by one hour of cable news from Australia. The publication of some of such news which now arrives in time for the morning newspapers would be delayed until the evening, and the publication of some of such news which now arrives in time for the evening newspapers would be delayed until the following morning, and news of important events occurring in Australia on Saturday afternoons may fail to reach the Dominion on that day unless the telegraph offices, now closing at the hour of 8 in the evening of that day, are kept open until 9. (c) That the objects of the Bill can best be attained by legislation. 4. That, owing to the close of this session being so near at hand, the Committee recognise that it is not possible for the Bill to be passed into law this year, and they recommend the Government to take the matter into consideration during the recess, with the view of legislating next session. In the event of the Government deciding to legislate on the subject, the Committee are of opinion that an endeavour should be made to secure the co-operation of the Commonwealth Government. FIIANCIS MANDER, 20th December, 1909. Chairman.