The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, DEC. 31st, 1923. THE YEAR.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 December 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, DEC. 31st, 1923. THE YEAR.

'ljih yenr will <1 ie in the night. How shall' it ha measured—a success or a failure ! These are i-ompar.itivo terms, perhaps, and the old year will he judged from various standpoints. The nations ol the earth though at peace nominally are in many climes still in a itate ol semi-war. In some European countries there is still the clang of the ranching tioojs and the rumble of the ultima red ear, as these symbols of might exercise their restraining influence in occupied territories, hi others, there are whisperings of revolutions, or the hasty departure of monarclis whoso presence has not proved congenial to the masses. St lunge events take their course in the aftermath of the war—for nil one side a political despot takes Control of a nation, and on another a military leader supplants the government. and under the still reigning momucli. exercises benevolent control. Military power in marshalled in many <|uartei s and though we hare had “peace" for five years, yet it cannot he saiil that the peace that it with us is a success. Xor yet. is it a failure. The period is at best an interregnum in which nations and peoples are adjusting themselves to the new order of events aiming out of the cataclysm of tlie Groat War. This is so. certainly with the continental nations, where political happenings bristle with tniexpeeHad possib^liticr-—and jthe linal outcome will answer the question in fu(l—succosa ob failure? The year, nevertheless, has been one of serious fruvail for ninny lands, and that the period Inis been weathered without serious consequences in the matter of positive results, at once discounts the claim to failure. Rather may we regard the dying year as a stepping stone u. the world's greater happenings, destined, we hope, to bring n happier period for the. nations of the earth. Tli.i course of events is governed always by ninny cail-cs outside human direction or ken. Japan, for instance, passed through its most tragic period when a mighty earthquake seized its troubled land and shook great cities to piotes troubled the countryside into chaos. smote the waters of the hays so that even those on the sea weie in peril; and in the end claimed thousands of lives, and in value millions of money to appease its visitation. It was ono of the greatest tragedies to overtake any portion of the modern world, and Japan will have occasion to remember and recall the passing year for all time. The United States had its period of poignant, grief in the all too sudden passing of its glowingly popular President, whose life was cut short in the midst of a busy round of national duties leading up to the accomplishment oL great- aspirations.

Our own Empire lias participated in the peaceful time with greater comport than that sanctioned to European continentals, for instance. Great Britain’s troubles have been political and internal—both arising out of the war time. Unemployment stalks the land and calls for its toll in cash to maintain life. Politics grew mixed and a return to power of the Conservative element it was expected would hold the

situation. But the Prime .Minister uis not satisfied with the party bonds imposed by a predecessor, and so l.e sought a fresh mandate for himself. It was his political undoing. The late election leaves Prime Minister Baldwin oil the horns of a dilemma. 11 is party is not .strong enough to carry on its own. He must seek outside .support at the price of political patronage, or resign. Whal he might, do is still uncertain, but a decision must soon be reached nr the liou.-e o! ( ominous v.jl! decide for him. Meantime the cetent geneial ele'tioii lias helped ballot at Home to rise within sight of office. As a party it i.s not strong enough to bold the ] resent House of Commons, but at least it is the official Opposition, and its leaders, many ol whom have distinguished attainments and unblemished records, are speaking conlidcntly ol being sooner railin' than later in stable power. For the time being the Liberals hold the balance of political pouer. Election time .saw tlici'' divisions healed, and their leadens standing on a common platform, iiul for a rush election they would have dour better at the polls. A> it was they gained in strength and in any bargaining which may be done, they arc likely to be the greatest gatuets. The election ju-t held at Home seemed ti. be unduly rushed, and lelt little time lor dear thought and understanding ol the issues at Hut even yet •lie portent of the election is not clearly realised,. At Hie best even the political quid unites are at variance as to the possibilities ahead, and so Britain's |eiuirhed political position may be left to the immediate future to decide by a course of events to be shaped by the exigencies of the occasion. Ireland lias happier days, at till events, and the year lias brought to I hat troubled country a measure ol success i'll! far too long overdue or with-held. Now, governed by her own people, Ireland is settling down to the new ivdcr in more tranquil ways -so tiauquil indeed, tiiat ol late litllc is hoard of (he siieeess which must !e flowing into liobuid now that peace has followed civil war. and the nation itself has , cased pitting brother against brother. A happier and a more prosI crons In land is emerging from the deeply dyed period ef the past.

Hie Briieh Empire was in eonfercme at the b.-art of the Empire so recently' that there is little occasion to icier 1.0 the event. New Zealand was notably represented id the council table ly its Prime Minister who was the doyen of the Premiers present, and was lionised accordingly- not the least to the credit, ol the Dnminii n. Mr Massey contrived to keep considerably in the limelight aiid comported himselt with II good deal of siieeess. omitting hi: doubtful excursion into Home polities lit the time of the general election—w liieli, of course, after all. is a UK,lter of find taste. Resolutions and pro; m ,Is of a very practical nature, concerning mole pat ticularly the shipping and ccmmeicial community throughout the Empire, ,wie the <>ui-

standing foulure.s o! the di.-cussions at ihe further sessions oi the Imperial Economic Conference. I nanimiry of opinion was expressed by the representatives of the Dominion- and Home Governments, in regard to the salety ol the oversea carrying trade, in the fot in of u resolution declaring it theii established practice to make no discrimination between the Hags of shipping using their ports. An interesting discussion on the reciprocal enforcement of judgments and arbitration awards resulted in an unanimous decision that tor the purposes ol trade, as well afor otaicr considerations, it was very desirable to have arrangements made lot this enforcement wherever local tot'diiions made this possible: while. 1.11 the subject of education in the Dominions. the Confluence unanimously agreed that education in .such subjects a- geography and the development ol Liu i e-mirces of the Km].ire should be everywhere encouraged. 1 lie -Ei.onomie Conference al-o expressed approval of the iccumim-ndalions of Lord Colwyti’s •mmiUve on the- liability of Dominion and foreign Governments to United Kingdom taxation, and. in regard io ilit* important- subject of Empire currency, it was decided to appoint a committee ot experts, upon which Mad., s and manufacturers, will he invited to serve, to examine the. problem and report. Considerable 1 rauknes.-. characterised an interesting discus .slot on the importation of livestock, i-.nd an assurance concerning the Government's unqualified belief in the healthiness ol cattle from the Dominion- was given to the delegate.-. '1 he Imp-rial Conference, at their later -es-.-ion-, consul, red the status ol British Indians in other parts of the Empire. Tin- [ilea for preference had a good deal -to do no doubt in hurrying the British Government to the abyss of the iveenl general election, n- a policy ] lank to ensure mmc trade and commerce within the Empire, but it. proved a failure at the polls, for the opponents of the Government were able io bring so many counteracting argument.-, that the people- in the mass rejected the proposal.-, and politics at Home are again in the melting put awaiting the preparation of a newmould with which to reshape public opinion again.

Ii- our own land the spirit of success at least, prevails. New- Zealand is a happy and prosperous land. There i- no overshadow to gloom the country. 'lh< Dominion has passed with comparative ease through a trying financial period. It has weathered a period of serious stringency. But prices are coming back. ’Wool is bringing in scores of thousands of pounds and primary products generally, the staple means

of income to assure success, are at a buoyant point. There may he, as there has been before, lowering clouds ahead, hut it i- sufficient to regard the present and that viewed with tin- past provides a pietuie not at all unpleasant. New Zealand is heavily laden with debt, and there i.- niuc-h criticism about Stafe .administration, while politics remain in a condition of doubt. But the "doubt” is in favor of the Government which lias the knack of trimming itr sails to the political breezes and carefully avoiding the rocks and shallows in the narrows. In Mr Mas-ey there is at least a capable party leader, experienced and resourceful, who is ; ble to outplay his opponents at the game of politics. So the country pursues an even political way, even though by the rules of the game of majorities, the Government should lie out of office. But by the grace of compliant

Literals, Mr Massey holds office, and "ill continue tb do so apparently till the- next appeal to the country, when ~e shall sco what we shall see. New Zealand is a fair land; it is a good country. It has a great future ahead u! it as the waste places arc populated, and production increases. The year just i assing away marks a period of interesting development during which the effects of the slump have been steadily wiped out, and the Dominion has emerged with a great deal of credit from a position which we have keen le' 1 to believo was one of gieat difficulty. In some cases expensive methods were adopted to escape from the (Stringency, but though costly they

have proved fairly satisfactory, and if not economically sound in their direct application, were rt least fairly ■successful for the time being under the severe test of practice. All tilings considered, New Zealand can vide the [tassing year with a good deal of satisfaction for the knowledge that the count:,v Ill's been able to recuperate,

end fake l a fresh Ica-coof national life with a riper experience and with a ciedit and a standing untarnished. It is not at all a bad recced, and in the glow of the halo about the country wo inn' perceive the word “success.”

Westland will recall 102:1 always as a mom.nr.dile year, for it marks the time when the Coast came into its own. For nearly half a century the desire to link up with Canterbury and the Smith Island railway system has keen an ardent one. During the year that desire was consummated very happily, and there is now direct rail communication not only east and west, but with the deep sea Imrhors of the Hast Coast. It is too soon yet to realise all the advantages, nor are thy pos-iblc ol full manifestation a- \et. beoaii-o although i i use. the tunnel traffic is still the siihVet >d divided control, and the traffic has not the value to lie derived fn in single control .and proper official organisation. Hut that will come very soon. .Meantime, the line is proving ol immediate value in assisting to cany many visitois to our fair land, while is a means for ready transpoit. and for toe expansion of trade, reaching to all the hus.v centres of the Fast Coast, the railway is fully justifying c\| eolations. Dining t-lv nulling year the Fast and West Coast railway will fully justify it--clf. There are some adjustments nccissary. hut with the diversified population on Ihe respective side-, ol the ranges, and the complement- they [day to each other In important m-cessa:y commodities, the railway must prove a first-class means of exchange, and the volume of trade which will result w ill he ever a growing one for the reason that development must go foiwaid on the West Coast, and the railway will be the thief factor to that end. So we may rejoice that success lias crowned tin dibits of (lie past years of agitation to see the railway a finished proposition linking the east with the west, ami enabling a volume (J f trade and in-lorcour-e to grow up. which must he

a lnateiial help in the advancement ol tin- Dominion itself. The Coast is e,•'cheating the railway opening with an Fxhibition which is centred in Hokitika. The townspeople showed worthy enterprise In this matter, and attempted whnt has turned out to he a very large undo taking. Hut the task has been well dime. The exhibition is a success. It ranks as such both in size and general organisation. It i- going to he a success in drawing people here. It is bringing hack a long siting of ex-Coastcrs home again (some aft', r many vends) for a holiday. Thenhave been many happy reunions. There wil 1 he many mote for the pilgrimage stil! goes on. This aspect alone lias made the Exhibit ion worth w hile, for it las brought to life, as it were, that old spirit of (bast comradeship which many thought to he a languishing trait of cur character. The. Kxliihition inns placed West hind on the map. It will enable the district to march forward. To do all this surely is to achieve .success in it high degree.

With that note, these hurriedly writ-tt-s. lines may lie brought to it close. The year for the Coast lui.s meant a great deal, for it has seen the opening of a portal whereby prosperity may How in. And the folk are ready by their enterprise and daring to meet tie- new order of events. The lanncliii,c of the Exhibition .shows how well the position was anticipated. We have been told over and over again by many i | our visitors that the feat of Hokitika, a town of about 2.8C0 people, in organising its big Exhibition has achieved a remarkable success. The visitors see in the event the expression of enterprise which was dormant for the want ol opportunity to show it.self. 'Jltey regard the (list iid , as well as the people with favor. The town has made a name for itself a worthy name which will In- of credit value always. So. looking to the future hopefully—and Coasters are always hopeful--flic coming year can he met bravely and with confidence. It should bring to Westland in ] articular, added prosperity. There will he better times, as there a 'll he better means of e.onimuiiieatioii. •tt d with that picture before us, we can look forward, with all confidence and wish our readers, A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

A notice of a lost cheque appears in another column of this issue. A dance will lx? held in the Public Hull, Kokotahi to-night (New Year's Eve) in aid of the local Hall fund. Gentlemen 2s Oil, ladies a plate. Fleming and Wall.—Advt. Fresh startling bargains in all silk goods at low prices. You want to visit AY. Ivee’s silk display now showing in Retell St., opposite W. \\ ilriain’s (chemist).

There is likely to he much jollity at the Exhibition buildings to-night. The building will he open to a late hour to watch the Old Year out and the New Year in. Crowds are sure to congregate for the occasion. The Hokitika Gas Company will for the next live weeks give daily demonstrations of gas cooking at the Exhibition buildings. .Mi>s Touiittnter of Christchurch lias been engaged for the purpose, and will give special addresses on household economies. I he lectures will he held during the afternoon and evening. Great interest was evidenced in the preparation of the aeroplane for its initial lliglit yesterday. All day long streams of people passed to the northern end of the town, whence the aiimen made their llighl. Crowds were present to witness the evening flight and the return, a large mimin' of motor ears conveying passengers to and from ./the grounds. To-day the interest of the public is unabated. Ibe aeroplane made frequent flights otei the town to-day. A guid New Year sae one a’ can lie spent at the Princess Theatre on .Jail- Ist., when a splendid Scottish programme "ill he presented. A perusal of the programme advertised m this issue will show that the Caledonian Society have strived to equal, if not to eclipse other previous ewnts by obtaining the services ot artists from tile dilferelit centres of Hie Dominion. Don’t fail to hear Ilughie Smith reciting at the Caledonian Society Conceit on New Year's Night. It has been arranged that there shall he another silting of the Coal Conference at Westport to-day. Delegates representing the owners and the miners will assemble at !) a.m. It is probable that at this Conference the eouttler proposals of the Miners’ Council aid he submitted for the consideration of the owners' repieseiitativis. It is io be Imped that they will receive fa vo u table consideration and produce a settlement.

After being missing for a week, the (load body of Mrs West, of Cohden, v.as j'otind in the Col-den l.agoou h.v some vhihlreii. who v.erc lotting in a I;,at. Constable \V. Baird. Col-den, recovered the limit. Mis West was missed 1 ruin la r home about a.m. on Sumlav week last, and Mine then, u contiuuus search lor the missing woman has been conducted. A eslordat morning, when rowing across the lagoon in Cohden. .Mrs \\ est s Indy was 'seen h.v some children. ( unstable Hail'd was informed of the dis< every and the body was removed in' the morgue.— A rgiis. A very fine selection in clothing and costumes for all. a! lowest price, can be found at Scbr-idor and Co’s, who also can lit you out in men’s ami huv’s suits, lies am! shirts, belts and knickers. Tents and hammocks also make uset ill Chi isl m.is gifts at Schroder and Co’s. Ihe h -.f vaiue shop in town. Advt. WOLFE’S SCHNAPPS vastly superior to all other stimulants