The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, DEO. 30, 1905.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1637, 30 December 1905, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, DEO. 30, 1905.

THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW. We aro just on the verge of another transition from one annual cycle of time to another, the history of 1905 will soon be completed and relegated to the archives of the past, while the as yet fair and unwritten scroll of 1906 will be progressively unrolled before us to receive records of the world’s further events and doings whether for

good or ill. In reviewing the course of the year now fast slipping away from us, there is certainly much to moralise upon, for it presents a history of strong contrasts with regard to the world’s nations, contrasts which, in the most emphatic and absolute sense, range from “grave to gay, from lively to severe.” Yet, although the great Powers of Europe have preserved at least the outward amities of peace, it has not been without tho exercise of the most consummate tact and diplomatic skill on the part of responsible statesmen, for owing to the war tumults in the Far East, and the threatening complications arising therefrom, the world’s quietude was more than once seriously endangered, and the nations within a hair’s breath of becoming involved in a world-wide Armageddon of fierce hostility and ruthless slaughter. Such a terrible cataclysm, however, was happily averted by the astute prudence of the world’s greatest leaders, who turned aside all possible sanguinary complications with an adroitness and masterly , finesse that history will belaud for, all J

fcimo. His Majesty, King Edward VU i will bo awarded a stately prominence on the world’s historic page lor the unsuspootod talents ho Rub devolopod as a consummately wiso and effective promoter and preserver of peaco, talonts that havo astonishod both .Lionels and foos, and that havo made British subjects, tho wide world over, proud of their King. Ho lias conciliated hitliorto'bittorly,.prejudiced France, while quietly but ‘firmly holding tho impetuous German Kaiser well in hand, and, in conjunction with his able advisors,‘’steered a safo courso of avoidanco through all,possiblo complications * that Russia, .in her humiliation and dosporation, wantonly sought t 6 establish during Jho courso of tho RussoJapaneso war, 'Searcoly-loss prominojit, as a potential factor during tho existence of these ofitical conditions, lias boon tho prudential but decisivo in-

fluence of America’s groat statesman and ruler, President Roosevelt, to whom Teuton, Russ, and Japanose alike pay tho most profound respect and deference, and to whom tho world at large is also deeply indebted for confining the Par East international conflicts to tlie principals immediately concerned. Not only now, but when history gives its final verdict, it will ho found that those two great minds, King Edward VII. and President Roosevelt, had far more to do with the cessation of the Russo-Japanese struggle tbau tho world at present knows of. That struggle is fortunately ended, but “un-

speakable ” Russia, is in tho (if anything) fiercer grip of a wild intoruecino strife that threatens to overturn the throne of tho Romanoffs, and utterly extinguish tho merciless- autocracy that for centuries has brutally .op* pressed that but partially civilized land. The closing months of tho old year are witnessing a demoniacal saturnalia of slaughter and rapine in Russia, that can scarcely be paralleled by the most sanguinary outbreaks of any former age, while, in the midst of it all, the whilom. autocratic Czar presents the most pitiably helpless figure that ever woro a crown. Whatever may be the result of tho present internal strife, 1905 and its Christmastide will form one of tho blackest of the many black stains that deeply disfigure Russian history. Turning to ourselves, the past year has been one of gratifying prosperity for New Zealand, we have been enjoying the fruits of peaceful enterprise pud industry while other parts of the world have been rent and torn with tumult , and if the limits of this article would permit, much could be descanted upon in relation to many sterling advantages and benefits that the old year has conferred upon us. Politically. and commercially we are on the high road of advance, and as the old year has once more given the Premiership to Mr Seddon as a wellmerited Christmas box for past years of faithful, efficient service, the approaching new year comes to us in guise of healthful promise and assurance, for - we may take it for granted that “King Dick” will sway his sceptre of renewed and enlarged power, with the wisdom and generous judgment that havo characterised him in the past. Veiy much could be said about our growing local industries, our expansions of local trade, and tho enterprise that is actively adorning Gisborne with imposing business erections, that, architecturally speaking, will shortly raise it to the dignity of a city, but, as these and other progressive enterprises are as yet in course of development, it would be well, perhaps, to withhold fuller comment upon them, until the new year brings them to full maturity. With prosperous prospects iu front, and with many kindly and gratifying reminiscences of the old year that is leaving us, we offer our warmest congratulations to all, coupled with the time-honored wish of A HAPPY NEW YEAR!