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1.—15

The point may be raised that the same result could be obtained by alterations of the hours of work—viz., from 7 o'clock to 4 o'clock in the trades, and from 8 o'clock to 4 o'clock in professions. This, however, would present much more difficulty, as involving endless adjustment throughout the country. It would necessitate alterations in train and steamer times, meaf-times, &0., with resultant tremendous cost for reprinting of time-tables, &o, From the point of view of health, particularly in the case of workers (both male and female) in factories and offices, from the point of view of children, the arguments are all in favour. It would render possible also more family recreation. Commercial men generally would favour sotting the clock forward one hour for the summer season. The alternative proposal to adopt the twelve-hours advance on Greenwich moan time, or, in other words, to advance New Zealand standard time by half an hour, is another proposal well worthy of consideration. It has the advantages of the proposal first mentioned, but, of course, in less degree. In addition it would make for saving in lighting and fuel-con sumption through obviating or reducing peak load. The former proposal has not that argument in its favour, as it is a summer measure only, and it is in the winter —say, between 4.30 and 5 o'clock—that peak load in lighting plant occurs. lam of opinion that the desired reform must be brought about by legislative enactment; that clocks must be put on. Uniformity would be improbable otherwise, and the resultant confusion would be inimical to the movement. Chas. M. Bowdkn, Secretary.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not giveu ; printing {475 copies), £27 10s.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington. -1924.

Price 9tl]