Inventing daylight saving

Daylight saving involves putting clocks forward, usually
by one hour, in summer.
In 1895, the New Zealand naturalist and astronomer,
G.V. Hudson, submitted a proposal for daylight saving
(which he called ‘seasonal time’). Here, in an address
to the Wellington Philosophical Society in 1898, he
responds to some criticisms of his idea.

Amongst the objections which have been urged against the adoption of
my scheme, I shall only briefly deal with those of more serious importance.
A number of minor objections have been raised, which have simply arisen
through the objectors not having taken the trouble to make themselves
conversant with the subject. For instance, it has been urged that this scheme, if
carried out, would deprive people of their long winter evenings, those raising
this objection evidently having overlooked the fact that, during the seven
months of the year which include the winter, the time would remain precisely
as it is at present.
A more reasonable objection is that regarding the alteration of the
clocks, some contending that it would be better for us to alter our habits
during the summer, and leave the clocks alone. The reply to this is that such
an alteration in habits would be wholly impracticable, as it would involve
endless adjustment throughout the whole of society, which could never
be carried out in all its detail. Meal times, arrivals and departures of trains,
steamers etc, the opening of places of business, theatres etc, would all have
to be simultaneously altered, whereas, by moving the hands of the clock
in the middle of the night, all these adjustments could be effected quite
automatically, without disturbing in any way the existing state of things.
It has also been urged that by lengthening the hours of daylight at the
end of the day shopkeepers and others might be tempted to extend the hours of
labor for their employees. This, it may be remarked, is really a side question
which has already been specially dealt with by legislation, and although there
are at present nearly two hours’ daylight after closing time in summer, I am
not aware that any systematic attempt has been made to lengthen the hours
of labour in summer on this account. The milkmen, and other persons who
have to begin their work very early in the morning, would undoubtedly suffer
under my scheme, as they would have to start their duties in the dark of early
morning almost the entire year through. As these persons, however, constitute
a very small minority in the social community, it is not to be expected that
their personal comfort or convenience would be allowed to interfere with the
adoption of the scheme if it were found to be beneficial to the large majority.

Hudson’s address was a part of
an ongoing discussion of ideas.
an emotional publicity campaign.
an announcement of official policy.
a debate between meteorological experts.

• What is Hudson’s opinion of the idea that people should alter their habits?
  (paragraph 2)
  It is just another way of expressing his scheme.
  It could not be objected to by any reasonable person.
  It is good in theory but could not be put into practice.
  It would work well but would be expensive to implement.
• When Hudson says, I am not aware that any systematic attempt has
  been made to lengthen the hours of labour in summer on this account
  (last paragraph), he is
  overstating his case.
  appealing to emotions.
  qualifying an assertion.
  contradicting his own opinion
• What is the main idea presented in the fi nal paragraph?

• Which statement about public opinion is consistent with the underlying
  the assumption in the text?
  It is too powerful to fight against.
  It contains a lot of traditional wisdom.
  It is the result of long, intelligent thinking.
  It can be changed by good, rational arguments.
• What method does Hudson use to deal with his opponents?
  He refers to expert opinion.
  He ignores their arguments.
  He raises doubts about their motives.
  He points out errors in their arguments