SUMMER-TIME [To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,—One could hardly
conceive a more prejudiced and misleading paragraph than Mr. Herbert Palmer's in your issue of the 2nd instant. Summer-time was not institute:t for the benefit of the farmer ; if was an economy measure of war-time. On that account alone it is today as essential as then and equally good in results; If-the farmer ignores it and carries on by the sun he has not much of a grievance. But it is to the city dweller and especially the city worker that it has proved a boon almost beyond calculation.
Unfortunately, the very large majority of our population work in towns and their good is the nation's good. The value placed on the evening's leisure and the use made of it can be witnessed in the suburbs of every large town daily.
The possible hour for recreation of 20 years ago is not converted merely into two, but by appreciation of its value. keenness to use it, added transport facilities—due to demand —the one hour is commonly converted into three. Take one sport alone, lawn-tennis. Are the clubs doubled or trebled or are they multiplied twentyfold ? That opportunity fur recreation and the use of it does not disqualify for daily duty is proved by the interest in, and pecuniary help afforded by almost all big trading institutions.
Life has been altered for the city worker by summer-time ; the physique and healthy outlook of the' whole nation is improved ; the still urgent call of economy is served, and if a true perspective is obtained the drawbacks are negligible.
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