XN000022-1977-01-28 — Page 5

FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1977.

TRIAL PERIOD FOR GMT PLUS 8 PROPOSED

***

+GMT PLUS 8+ WILL BE GIVEN A TRY THIS SUMMER UNDER THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.

THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY.

IF ENACTED, THE PRESENT STANDARD TIME AND SUMMER TIME WILL BE REPLACED WITH GMT PLUS 8 FOR A TRIAL PERIOD COMMENCING ON APRIL 17.

HOWEVER, THIS WILL REMAIN SUBJECT TO CHANGE BY RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE AMENDING BILL WOULD ENABLE THE PUBLIC TO TRY GMT PLUS 8 THIS SUMMER SO THAT THEY COULD EXPERIENCE FOR THEMSELVES THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE SYSTEM AS AGAINST GMT PLUS 9.

HE EMPHASISED THAT THE ADOPTION OF GMT PLUS 8 WAS ONLY ON

A TRIAL BASIS FOR THIS SUMMER.

HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO FOLLOW PUBLIC OPINION AND THE SUBSEQUENT ADOPTION OF WHICHEVER TIME SYSTEM WOULD DEPEND ENTIRELY ON THE REACTION FROM THE PUBLIC.

PRESS BADGES FOR VISIT OF HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA

******

NOTE TO EDITORS:

PRESS BADGES FOR THE VISIT OF HRH PRINCESS ALEXANDRA ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION. PLEASE SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COLLECT THE BADGES IN BULK FROM THE DUTY ENQUIRIES OFFICERS IN THE GIS PRESS ROOM, 6TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.

YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IS REQUESTED TO BRING SOME IDENTIFICATION PAPERS AND SIGN TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECEIPT.