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THOSE IN FAVOUR, AND THEIR REASONS
HK TIMES (June 5) said in banner headlines that the proposal was welcomed by people in all circles, and quoted a Kaifong leader who believed
the new system would have desirable effect on commerce and industry.
MR. DEREK JONES, Secretary for Economic Services, said that Hong Kong already used Summer Time, and financial affairs operated smoothly and normally. People would adapt to any inconvenience this was a matter of
changing habits, he was quoted as saying. If International Standard Time was
adopted here, students would have to go home in the dark in winter. Mr. Jones stressed that the Government would collect further public views before making
a decision.
MR. JOHN PEACOCK, Acting Director of the Royal Observatory, felt that people in the financial sector were too emotional on the issue. He hoped to gather the opinions of people in different professions before a decision was
taken.
Following the "Meet the Media" session given by Messrs Jones and Peacock, Wah
Kiu Yat Po said in its headline that "the gathering of public opinions shows that the majority
support the adoption of Summer Time." HK Times said in its headline: "Government believes
Summer Time will do more good than harm but will not insist on its implementation.” Ming
Pao headlined the point that under a one-time system in Hong Kong, Summer Time would
not necessarily be the system adopted, while Sing Tao Jih Pao, the Express, HK Daily News
and Oriental Daily headlined that the Government would reconsider the proposal.