The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, DED 31st, 1924. THE CHANGING YEAR.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 December 1924, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, DED 31st, 1924. THE CHANGING YEAR.

To-niujit 11)24 goes out with the effluxion ot time, and 11)25 will reign in its stead. The dying year is akin to the passing of an old friend who has been with us all through tin. seasons and the changing times; in lair weather and loul; in good report and ill. Perhaps the question we should rightly ask tonight is nut how Inis the old year treated us, hut rather, how have we treated the yeail' Have opportunities been sought, and found, have they lieon turned to advantage? Are wo the better, either nationally or individually for our service through the year? It is not without avail to take stock in this way, for if we do not try to deceive ourselves, we may realise some

shortcomings, recognise omissions, :inil realising and rot-o^nisiiijj;, turn tin* nonyear to better advantage. But what of tile old year, before it passes finally into history 't The world has stiil struggled on, and the nations most concerned have tried but in vain to make the Peace of Versailles a reality. That document was completed finally in 1919, but it is still in many essentials a scrap of paper, notable rather made lor its existence than for its effect. It i.s over six years since armisticetime fell across the war stricken world, and we are still without practical peace; and the nations are not at an understanding with each other. The (special instrument to avoid future wars—the League of Nations—is still a huge machine working ineffectively and achieving negative results. The League is not an effective power yet, which means there can he no peace without force to impose it. The position is very much like our man-made laws. Parliament in all goodness and sincerity tries hard to make us “good” by special acts, but without the authority to enforce the laws, and in many instances police and law courts to use force in the endeavour, observance is more honored in the breach. The League must become a miltnnt force, with the power to enforce its world embracing decisions. But there is (-.till unrest in the world, and a little war or two i.s waging now hut a short distance from the headquarters of the League. Also, there is a force manifesting itself abroad which is creating an tin easy feeling in many countries. This is called Communism, taking its source nowadays largely from Russia where “red” liberty alone prevails. Communism is a revolt against constitutional government, and means in the first place, revolution, followed of course by much bloodshed and ending with tyranny. It i.s a good thing to avoid. Much is heard of lied Russia, and what lias followed the introduction of Communism in that vast quarter of the globe. There was some suggestion that with a Labor Government in power in Great Britain. Communism might obtain a footing in the Motherland. But the people gave a stern, swift decision at the first time of opportunity, and the Labor Government is but a brief memory of the year’s mast memorable history. Jn other

words the people at Home would luivo nought to do with extremes of Government, and so the constitution is the sounder to-day for the flash in the pan experience which came from a Labor .Ministry in office in London. The political pendulum swung hack to indicate a time for the Conservatives, and a strong, stable Ministry, pledged to Imperial achievements, has the opportunity to build up the liritish Empire at a time when public opinion all round the seven seas is particularly ripe for the experience. So we find that the general election at Home was an event of the highest import to the British nation, if not to the world at large. The outcome was to disclose that England stood where it has stood always and that is not only a security to the Empire itself, hot is a guarantee to all the nations in common intercourse with Great Britain. Another event in the Homeland which has had its impress overseas, is AVemhley. "Wembley was much criticised, hut in all essentials save the financial, AVemhley was a success, so much so that it is to carry on. and in the carrying on, Wemlilcy it is expected will redeem itself financially. New Zealand is not credited with cutting a very notable figure at Wembley—which is accounted for by bad organisation. But what was a short-coming in that respect, was more than made up in the matter of good permanent advertisement hv the unbroken success of the All Blacks. That tour now completed almost, has been a wonderful success, and its story will he told and retold while Rugby football has a vogue. The All Blacks took New Zealand to all the principal cities of England, AVale.s and Ireland, while no doubt the press of the cities of Scotland retailed the story ol the victorious All Blacks for the edification of their millions of readers. England. boasts prowess in many sports and pastimes, and while Rugby is not at present its excelling sport, the Old Country Juts done well always in

cricket, .lust now an English El is striving to win the ashes in Australia, and a notable team is making a good showing. The contest this season promises to he as ei|iud as it well could lie, and all sportsmen will wish that in the final outcome the bettor side may win. Polities at Home occupied much attention during the year. The advent ol a Labor Government to power set all the rpiid nones speculating. In some respects Air Ramsay Alacllnnald and his lieutenants did well. The Prime 1 Alinister had some success in the Foreign Office and Air Thomas was a pleasantly successful Colonial .Secretary. Lesser lights ill some instances eliei well, cithers failed, as notably in thelCamphell case. But the Government was in :m insecure' position all the time- holding office only by the grace* c» f the Liberals. AA fic'ii the* mistakes of office camo crowding in. the Liberals perforce had to go into the* Opposition lobby, and that was the end of the Labor Alinistry. The experience was of value, and will not he without its effect in the future. There was some o; portiinii' etl gouging the proelivitic*s e>f Labor a.s regards its snciulUtie bent, and many were rather fcarlul on that point il Labor lead complete mastery of the Commons. All the most, responsible .Ministers were raw recruits lei office, but the' knowledge gained of the inside working of the Empire seemed to count, for a better nnilerstamliiig of Imperial aspirations, so that the event was licit without- far-reaching cfleet. The most disastrous result politically was to the Liberals, who suffered heavy deleat at the polls, ostensibly fur being the* power in the House to keep Labor in iiftiec for its brief reign. India and Egypt with their native' populations, are on the hands of the British authoi ilies. and problems of Government are oven he'setting those responsible. The outlook in India on the' whole is a little better, e-ontriliuted to as it has been by the change' in the British Government, Init there is an aeilto situation in Egypt following the' shooting of tin* Sirdar. Authority is expressing itself powerfully, and all should lie we-ll again at no distant elate. Matters in Smith Alri'a. despite' a change "f .Ministry of a more' radical nature', have- improved, anil will no doubt continue to elo so, for Imperial relation.s are being guagctl in a right perspective. The relations with the other parts of the* Empire are normal, with the promise of closer inter-relationship with all parts as the policy of the New Government at llnme materialises. Conference gatherings are proposed calcitlaleel to have a great hearing on trading within the Empire, anil these coming to pass, must atfect the future of all tin* colonial possessions. Internationally Great Britain stands where she stood always-exceed-ingly well. Foreign relations are all satisfactory where they are not very good, and practically with all rail's Britain stands well.

Niuv Zealaiiel is experiencing a pleasant catling In a not uneventful year. Tile happy 'conditions are brought about by the good prices ruling for our bulky farm products, particularly wool, hides, butter and cheese. The man on the land should l:o coining into his own again at le-nst for a period, anil the great wealtli derived will dispense itself all through the community. A

good ending serves to obliterate till* 1111toiviinl things of tin* year, lint tlio year in tin* matter of events did not carry serious disaster in its train. Parliament was normal again, the Government continuin'* in office by the .Trace of a brace of opponents who were tearful Labor might sprint* to office. The session ran its usual course, and when there was so much to do. one can but marvel that so little was done but beads bad to be counted always. ■\Ve have bad a. change of GovernorGenerals —the popular Lord and Lady Jcllieoe departing, and being succeeded l.y tin* son and daughter of former Governors— a not unhappy experience auguring well for the relations between the King’s representative and the people in t-iie term of office but lately begun. The semi-political world is all agog to-day lieeause of the frank criticism brought out ill the report- of the Railway Commissioners. Two experts have delivered a sweeping judgment on our railway system, and for once the Government- is disposed to pay heed ! to the advice tendered, and material reforms may Ik? looked for—and not he-

fore time—for the railways have excited niiidi advor.se comment of late years since the progressive days of Sir Joseph AVard who so distinguished himself as Minister of Railways, to say nothing of Postmaster-General and Minister of Finance. But- that is another story. The business world is exercised because of the exchange problem. The exports of the country far exceed the imports making money dearer, hut this is to be appreciated in preference to the imports exceeding the exports which would mean a more serious stringency. It has been remarked if public borrowing would cease for a year, the exchange difficulty would right itsell. A\*e are sure the taxpayer would welcome a cessation of borrowing, but the present Government has not the self-reliance of the old Liberals, and find it easier to go on the London market than so direct the

public administration that economics made would relieve the country of the necessity of public l>oriouing. Still though w e have our exchange problems' they are not a menace to the general prosperity. The high prices for farm products give the outlook a prospering air, hut we must he mindful that with the world as unsettled as it is to-day. it does not follow that prices will keep up indefinitely. The changing season at Home, also, will play a natural part in increasing the supply for the demand, and so exclud-

ing something; of the oversea imports. Frugality and thrift would ho worth practising at this juncture a.s Eafegoard.s for the future. New Zealand has great natural resources and is gradually coming into its own. The possibility in regard to the future is in the optimistic vein, and the country under wise and reasonable government should never go hack. It is a richly endowed country, and using the resources rightly, prosperity will lie assured. In our own district, the year has keen a normal one. AA'esiland lias not gone hack, rather, under normal conditions. it has made steady advance. .Served as it is now by the South Island railway system, it has opportunities and possibilities which before were shut out by the barrier of the Southern Alps. The success of dairying here is now fully assured, and is destined to expand. The man on the land in AVestland is not on a had wicket. The land is not dear, relatively, with that of other centres, and the prices ruling here for farm commodities arc as good as elsewhere. There is some prospect of mining developments hereabouts in the not distant future. Golelelredging has been proved a success at Bilim Flat, where there is room for a second dredge, and the new year might see a move in the direction of providing another and larger elroelgo to operate the flat. Prospecting in the northern part of the district, from W'aimea Creek to the Teremakau. suggests possibilities in that region also. There, too. there will he prospecting for oil, and the experts appear sanguine of success jiielgiug by the amount of money being depositee! for the venturi'. AVcstlaiiel is becoming more anil more the ] l.iygrinmd for the rest of the B-.iminiein in tile holiday reason. This year tlit're* are record numbers o r visitors, thanks no doubt to the advertising which is being eloiio, hut circumstances are bringing us back to Hie' opinion expres'-eel over a year ago vvlie'ii more tourist ace'oiuiuoelatioii here was advocated. As a local enterprise it offers every prospect of success, and worked in cniljnnrt inn with facilities at adjacent tourist resorts, is sure to lie* a success. In other parts of Now Zealand, where there are receigniseel beauty spots, private enterprise is rising to the occasion anil mooting the public* demand. Here, where there is the finest holiday resort of the whole Dominion, nothing in a ciimprehensivo way is being done' to outfit the town for its destiny as the e-liief tourist e-out re of this Island. It would be a worthy eli'eirt indeeil ■■■■• v.liieb to mark the' new year, if such a project were taken ill ham!, and it would probably surprise the promoters where the- financial support would come from, if tin' llote'l AVestland were put on the market as :i .speculative concern. |neliistrially the' year has lice'll a steady one*, the sawmills working without serious stoppages. West land, as time goes on. will heeomi' more and more the centre for the lloininion to draw its timber supplies. 'Phis contingency means that the industry will work further smith, towards which the access must be improved. Bonding anil bridging for South -Westland are of the greatest moment, si'i'ing that nothing is to bo done' about railway extension, while in the far south in the new year the' scheme in open up that locality with rnaels and a jolty at Jackson Bay, should be advocated with all the force and influence the district can exercise. The asset Westland possesses ill the south country is far from realised, and the people should be at some pains in tile 1 coining year to proclaim Hie fact to tbe wlinle Dominion. While we cannot look i 1 iii iuml i:tte'ly lor the bit ill of a new era. the present should be turned (o the fullest advantage by endeavoring to so shape local aflairs that the future may be lielpce! to the fullest extent, ami that at no distant date so forward a movement will be maile in AA'cstlniul that all New Zealand will note' the progress anil liee-onio iiitcri'-t----eel j M the' Fort uni’s of the* phie-e. Unit all things are* possible in this pa.il iif tbo Dominion has been suggested in tli,. past, and their happening might „,'|l !„■ hastened. The new 'ear miglil be use'll to the fullest extent in that eliloclioii. lint in any event "c hope the year as it rolls round will l e' croweleel with many good things in which all the community may participate. and to our rentiers to-day we cimvov that wish in all sincerity in the familiar season's greeting A HAPHY NFAY YEAH.