.!. POW.j

5

1.—15.

Now, in regard to the question of tlie awkward hour, do you not think that the inevitable result would be that instead of having the awkward hour on their hands the farmers would work that extra hour, and milk their cows later ?— That point was brought up by two or three speakers at the Conference. Tt was submitted that after they sent their milk away to the factories, washed up, and hud tea there would be a lot of time left in which they would do nothing. There would be a large proportion of farmers who do not send their milk away iji the evening, and therefore they would not be governed in any shape or form by the trains,- and that instead of having , the awkward hour referred to they would work the extra, hour, with the result that they would get an hour's less rest. You stated that many of the farmers commence work at 3 a.m. and finished at 7 o'clock in the evening—that is, approximately fifteen hours per day ; that, being the case, they are Oflly left with nine hours to obtain recreation and rest ? — Yes. In reply to a question you stated, that there were seven or eight, speakers who took part in the discussion of this matter at the . Conference : what period of time did this remit come up ? It came up, I think, on the Thursday morning at about 11 o'clock. Is it not the tendency at all these conferences to take a lot of time over the first two or three subjects, and that after that the discussion becomes very considerably curtailed ? -That sometimes happens on the last day. The Conference generally last.s four flays, and most of the speakers have said all they want to say by the Thursday. Mr. Sidey spoke, about a trial, can you suggest any reason why a trial is necessary- do you consider that the knowledge is so complete upon the matter that there is no necessity for a trial ? —I said in reply to Mr. Sidey that there was no misunderstanding about the thing, and the farmers are quite decided that it is in opposition to their wishes. Mr. Sidey made a point of the fact that if the fanners were deeply interested in this matter and did not want it there would be quite a large number of protests received from them : would you suggest that this is a proper view of the matter, that owing to the fact that this measure having been before the House since 1908, and each time it having been defeated — Mr. Sidey : No. The Acting-Chairman : Well, it never reached the statute-book. Mr. Sidey: It was never defeated; it has been either blocked by stonewall or— Mr. Girling : Well, T will put it this way : it never reached the statute-book. (To witness) : In view of the fact that there are a large number of farmers in tin; House it is reasonable to conclude, is it not, that the farmers are leaving it entirely to their representatives, feeling quite confident that the position is quite safe ?-- That is so. I think it cuts both ways. Mr. Sidey.] May T ask what proportion of the farmers get up at 3 o'clock in the morning ? I could not say. Ido not think anybody gets up at 3 o'clock in the morning at the present time. However, the position is that those farmers who get up at 4 o'clock would really get up at 3 o'clock according to standard time. You admit, do you not, that the farmers work by the sun, and as they work with the sun they will continue to work with the sun and will get up with the, sun —you will admit that the farmers work by the sun ? —I did not mention anything about the, sun. You made, a point that there would be extra daylight which they could not use ? —Yes. That would be at the commencement of October ; but when you get to the months of November and December, then there would be daylight up to 8 o'clock, would there not ?—Yes. What do they do during that time now?- 1 cannot say. Mr. Girling.] Mr. Sidey made a point that the members had not been inundated with requests from farmers to vote against this Bill : do you not think it is rather the other way about, since they have left it in the hands of the; Farmers' Unions to forward along their opinions—if they were in favour of it would they not have asked us to support the Bill ?— As I said before, I think it cuts both ways. When the farmers finish up at 7 o'clock in the evening would they not have their tea between 7 and 8 o'clock % —After washing up the, milk-cans they finish in the ordinary day about 7 o'clock. Would not that hour be utilized freely by some farmers in the following-up of some sport, such as tennis or cricket ? —Not many of the farmers have any time for sport. Do they not go in for tennis and such sport I —l should not think so. Would you be surprised when I tell, you that in the Spring Creek district you will see about forty or fifty farmers on the tennis-courts at 6 o'clock- of course, they are not dairy-farmers ; they like their sport as well as anybody else ?—Yes, if they can get it, but when they get up at 3 o'clock in the morning they do not feel very much like it. Mr. Robert Wllliam Shalluuass examined. (No. 3.) The Ohairman.] You are representing the New Zealand Sports Protection League, are you not I — Yes. You wish to make a statement to the Committee in regard to this Hill now before us ? Yes. 1 might mention that the New Zealand Sports Protection League represents every branch of legitimate sport as well as that large section of the community who are patrons and sirpporters. All organizations formed for the promotion of our national games and pastimes are affiliated to the league. Some considerable time ago the league was requested by a number of its members to give its support to any measure which had, as its object, daylight-saving. The league naturally did not come to its decision to support the movement until it had thoroughly investigated the position. The Prime Minister, who was known to be an opponent, was asked, to state his objections, and the supporters of the movement were asked to state its advantages. We came to the conclusion that there would be very material advantages to the community as a whole by the adoption of what, in the United Kingdom, is known