There is more general awareness of the meaning and usefulness of calendar reform in New Zealand than ever before; and, except for small religious minority groups which exert a surprising influence,most people express a favorable opinion of the suggestion.

Lectures, radio talks and newspaper articles have been given from time to time on the subject and have been favorably received.

The policy of the New Zealand Government, however, appears to be the same as stated in last year's report; and it would seem that only a strong international move, together with public opinion, would cause a change in policy.

NEW ZEALAND
1954

SIGNIFICANT progress towards international agreement on calendar reform was reported at the Eighth Annual Meeting 14 January 1955 of The World Calendar Association, International, held in the International Building, New York City, . Published highlights (JCR Vol. 24, March 1955) for NEW ZEALAND :

Interest among a considerable part of the community was reported to be apparent, but no feeling of urgency. The general reaction seems to be that the proposed calendar reform is logical and interesting, but there the matter usually rests. Likewise it is difficult to discover any violent opposition. This state of affairs is obviously due to the fact that the proposals have not been place sufficiently before the general public.

Further action here must be taken along the lines of interesting business sections and discovering the reactions of religious groups. Scientific people and organizations invariably see the logic of the scheme and agree with it, but to the populace as a living organic entity, to whom the present calendar is part of their lives, revision is a much different problem.

The Government is by no means unsympathetic to the proposed World Calendar and is watching the matter with considerable interest. However, in the absence of any strong public demand at the moment, it will not feel disposed to take any leading part in bringing the matter forward. There exists a cordial exchange of information between the Chairman and the Government on the subject. Conditions indicate that more public interest will be aroused within the next few months.

NEW ZEALAND
1953

SUSTAINED progress toward the international enactment of calendar reform was reported at the Seventh Annual Meeting 15 January 1954 of The World Calendar Association, International, held in the International Building, New York City. Published highlights (JCR Vol. 24, April 1954) for NEW ZEALAND:

Dr. I. L. Thomsen of the Carter observatory in Wellington is preparing a series of newspaper articles for the New Zealand newspapers on the subject of calendar reform. Both in press circles and in official channels, the articles written during the year by the British Astronomer Royal have been widely circulated and have had an important influence, augmented by the good news from India and the sustained activities of the British World Calendar Association.