The motion before the Seanad is:—"That this Bill be now read a second time."
PUBLIC BUSINESS. - SUMMER TIME BILL, 1925—SECOND STAGE.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
I again wish to offer opposition to the passing of this Bill on behalf of the agricultural community. Its operation will deprive them of a most valuable hour during the day for the purpose of their work. I think, before we provide for the amusement, or recreation, of people, that it is far more necessary to provide for the means and the sustenance of the people in the country. I think it is more important that the food production of the country should be increased, so that we may be able to remedy the situation that at present exists by reason of our trade balance being so unfavourable to us. It appears to me that recently we are paying more attention to amusements than to work. The passing of this Bill will deprive agriculturists of an hour each day for doing their work. The measure is, in my opinion, one that will tend to create a great loss to the country. I propose to vote against its Second Reading.
If I thought there was the least possibility of my opposition being successful, I certainly would oppose this Bill, but to offer opposition to it seems to me like beating against a thoroughly fortified position. On behalf of the agricultural community, I desire to say that I think the people in the towns owe them a big debt of gratitude for the sacrifices they are making in accepting the measure. The amenities and convenience of the agricultural community are not being considered at all. Of course they will get over the matter in a slip-shod way, simply by breaking the law and by keeping the time that God gave them.
This measure means a severe imposition on the agricultural community, and I think some tribute is due to them from citizens who will share its benefits for enduring all the inconvenience which it entails on them. I hope citizens in towns who will enjoy the benefits conferred under this Bill, will realise the debt of gratitude they owe to the agricultural community who have so willingly submitted to this imposition on their time for the sake of the townspeople.
Speaking as a farmer, and not as a representative of farmers, I desire to support this measure. As a farmer, I never found that the Summer Time caused the least bit of inconvenience to anyone engaged in agriculture. There is no compulsion on any farmer to adopt Summer Time, and I think it is only in very few cases that they do adopt it. For that reason, I do not see why farmers should try to deprive the town dwellers of the benefits which Summer Time undoubtedly confers upon them.
Question —"That the Bill be read a second time"— put and declared carried.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
As it is intended that this Bill should come into operation on the 8th April next, I would like to know if any Senator desires to move that the Bill be taken through its remaining stages to-day.
I beg to move the suspension of the Standing Orders for the purpose of putting the Summer Time Bill through its remaining stages to-day.
I second.
I desire to oppose this motion. I do not think there is any need to put this Bill through all its stages to-day. As far as I understand, it is not intended that the Act should come into operation until the third Sunday in April.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
The position is a little difficult, and there is urgency about this, because if this measure is to be enforced on the 8th April it would, of course, have to be passed before that date. There may be difficulty in getting a meeting of the Seanad during the week immediately preceding Easter, and it might be considered inconvenient to ask Senators to attend during that week. The principle of this Bill has been accepted by the Seanad on three or four previous occasions.
Even if it is inconvenient for Senators to attend on a particular day, that is a matter that cannot be regarded as urgent.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
I think that the matter is urgent, and I accept the motion to suspend Standing Orders.
Surely the Seanad would be acting in a less indecent manner if it left the remaining stages of the Bill over for another day.
Every year we have the same complaint. It is not decent that we should be suddenly faced with a list of twenty Bills which are fired at us like shots out of a machine gun. I must oppose this motion.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
I have great sympathy with the objection. We have complained about it more than once. It is obvious that with regard to most of these Bills they might have been considered at a much earlier stage and might have reached us in time to provide an ample opportunity for full and proper discussion. I can quite understand the position as regards the financial proposals. They may have to be kept over to a very late stage, but with regard to a Bill, like the Summer Time Bill, there is no reason why it should be hung up until the last moment. We are faced now with the position that it was hung up, and we have to meet and deal with that position. However, as the principle of this Bill has been approved already, on two or three occasions, I do not see that there is much cause for grievance.
There were some reasons for the delay. One is the difficulty that arose in arranging that dates should be uniform in all the countries affected, but what I rose to say was, that if representatives of the agricultural community wish to have time to put down amendments to this Bill I do not think that those in the majority should try to force it through to-day. For my part, I should like to see the Bill through.
As a general rule, I am not an apologist for the Government, but this Bill leaves no room for argument. It is the third time it has come before us. It is a Bill that confers a great boon upon town dwellers. It is a Bill for effecting economy as well as everything else. As a general principle, I do not approve of Bills being rushed through, but we must admit that the Government was in a difficulty in connection with it, inasmuch as they were endeavouring to arrange a uniform date with other countries. For these reasons, I think the Bill ought to be allowed to go through now.
Question —"That the Standing Orders be suspended for the purpose of enabling the remaining stages of the Summer Time Bill, 1925, to be taken"—put and declared carried.
Bill passed through Committee without amendment, was reported, received for final consideration, and passed.