A chorus of opinion from “eminent men” on the subject of daylight saving was in the spotlight on this day 24 October 1912.

When the S S Ruepehu set sail to New Zealand it was carrying 12 pamphlets on the English Daylight Saving Bill from the London High Commission. One of the intended recipients was MP T K Sidey who was introducing a similar bill into the New Zealand Parliament. The pamphlet, which set out the case for daylight saving, includes comments from everyone from the King of England to a Piccadilly shopkeeper. “Sunshine destroys germs and raises the vitality,” declared the Earl of Meath who was also chairman of the London Metropolitan Gardens. A London businessman had this to say of one of his book keepers, “a capable fellow” who had been “wasting away” with an undiagnosed illness: “Poor fellow his life has been lived without sunshine. We buried him five months later in the Highlands of Scotland!”

Despite this call to action New Zealand’s reaction to the pamphlet was muted. Daylight saving was not introduced here until 1927.

Shown here is the pamphlet from London

Archives Reference: ACGO 8333 1236/[5] 1912/3856 <a href="https://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=24801768" rel="nofollow">www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=24801768</a>

For updates on our On This Day series and news from Archives New Zealand, follow us on Twitter <a href="https://www.twitter.com/ArchivesNZ" rel="nofollow">www.twitter.com/ArchivesNZ</a>