The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, DECEMBER 31, 1902

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 707, 31 December 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, DECEMBER 31, 1902

THE OLD AND THE NEW, In a lew hours’ time tiie year .'9(12 will v have merged into the new year. From time immemorial .such changes have come to he regarded as important epochs oi time, when the past: is reviewed, and provision made for the future. ...There is supposed to he a

“ turning over of a new leaf,” which new leaf is to he kept in bet ter condition than has been the old one. At such a time good resolutions are the order of things, and if, mayhap, those resolutions do not long remain unbroken, still the effort is worth making and the time taken for reflection is valuable. We fear that the age has become too utilitarian for the full benefit to be obtained from these excellent old-time customs. On the one band, there is a more engrossing attention to business, and on the oilier band a, tendency to be more frivolous, or at least to a greater enjoyment of the world’s pleasures. It is customary at such a time pass in review the chief incidents of the closing year ; but that is hardly necessary, seeing ibat passing events have been given such close attention by the public. The consummation of peace and the. crowning of the King stand out in striking prominence, and by the surroundings were made even niore marked than'" they would ordinarily have been. Unforluiiatelyati.be close of the year we are still faced with the little war in .Somaliland a seemingly small affair is apparently, assuming rather serious proportions. The trouble in China lias practically been settled. Ktissia in the meantime having .strengthened her hold in Manchuria!. The trouble in Venezuela has not been to the popular taste, hut it is providing a good object lesson in the matter of arbitration. The outlook generally is more pacific than it [ has been for years past, though, of course, the sensationalist is always with us. and may be relied upon to occasionally create " scares anent the aggressive tendencies of some one of the Powers. However, all tilings considered, the old year will close at a time when all looks bright as far iiiUTEHiimuii affairs are concerietL The nations are as friericiiy as they have ever been, and arc quite capable of acting together when the purpose seems to suit, as in the case of letting little Venezuela feel tite strong hand of the discipline necessary to make the republic pay its debts. The great feature of ccmmercts hat

been the building of gigantic trusts, winch for the time being have a !ominunt power, and which to-day are steadily increasing then power, and will probably continue to do so until there has set in an evolution that will overthrow the trusts as a means of aggrandising individuals, but will derive from them such valuable lessons as organisation and co-opera-tion for the benefit of the people. At present the United States is taking a prominent plate in 'commercial matters, and is giving other nations a grand object-lesson in the making use of the latest, appliance.-, that ingenuity and inventive skill can dense. in political matters the retirement oi Lord Salisbury from the position of Prime .Minister'has been a fact of note, arid it is pleasing to observe 'lie success which the new Prune Minister i:-i achieving. Plough he iias had some very knotty problems, such as the Education Hill, to deal with. In New Zealand there lias been a general election. sending Mr Scddon back to power with a very strong following ; but indications are that the policy will be maintained on cautious lines, with no marked change in any dheei ion.

In science and an considerable progress has been made during ilie vear, the most important development in modern improvements perhaps being that of wireless telegraphy. There is still a good deal to tie achieved befoie wireless telegraphy can he put to practical every-day use at a reasonable rate ; hut the fact that it is shortly to lie used lor commercial purposes shows the progress being ma.de. 'J here have been many stirring events during the year, such as the Martinique eruption. The disaster in New Zealand that attracted most attention was the wreck of the steamer Elmgamite and the loss oi' many lives. THE NEW VEAIt. 'Pile coming year may well be anticipated with the most hopeful feelings. The staple products of the colony are now at a good price I the feeling of unrest that was so marked during the earlier part of the past year lias been replaced by confidence in the future. Business men and producers will, of course, always have ’a certain amount of anxiety, as so many contingencies have to be allowed for. But the financial position of the people generally is perhaps sounder than it has ever been. The producer is having better times than usual, and with fair seasons'there is every reason to he very as to what- the future has in store. The increase in the price oi wool, the fairly good condition of the meat market, ami the development of the dairying industry, are of much import to this district, and the change for the belter must give renewed hope and vigor to all. We wish thal the new year may bring prosperity in its train, and to all we extend the wish for A BRIGHT AND happy new YEAR.