The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1929. THE YEAR.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 December 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1929. THE YEAR.

The Oed Y'eak dies to-night, to be succeeded by the New Year which all are hoping and wishing will be a happier year. The year of 1929 expiring to-night lias been a year of many troubles with a few bright spots to lighten the way. Storms and disasters "there have been in plenty. Earthquakes not a few and unduly spread as to time. Floods and heavy losses have taken severe toll. Unemployment has been rife, and trading overshadowed by the falling prices for staple products. In other respects New Zealand mis been able to chronicle a rear of greater production. A well organised effort to stem unemployment at least for the time being. When the earthquakes carried disaster in their train, there was a. noble response of cheerful giving, and all requirements of the principal sufferers appear to have been met. Floods and damage by storm and fire and other stressful visitations were met with courage and resource typical of the people’s mood and manner. If therefore the old year waged his worst that worst was met gallantly, and a cheerful resourceful people were equal to all occasions and carried on in the right spirit.

Tn the international field there was much to engage attention. There were conferences galore about reparations and military and naval defences, and all those disturbing elements continue to keep great nations in a continual ferment. And money was tight, and even in the United Stales where so much gold has been hoarded, there was a great collapse in stock - speculation which overshadowed all other

events and ruined great masses ot frenzied speculators. But even then the country remained intact, and though the aftermath of the wild orgy of speculation is still being experienced, recovery is inevitable.. The European situation was dominated in a measure by the surprise attitude of the British Chancellor of the Exchequer in the new Labour Government, Mr Snowden, who stood lip for Britain’s rights after a decade of cheerful sacrifice for the benefit of other nations. And so the Young Plan was allowed to succeed the Dawes Agreement as a means of settling the war debts, it is too much to hope for early finality in the huge settlement involved, and the succeeding years will witness other adjustment as time goes on.

Germany derives some immediate rekef from the. Young Plan as foreign troops are to leave the territory, and there will not he so much foreign supervision within. Reparation payments are to be eased by being more spread, but the long period of repayments will always he a burden. But Germany is meeting the situation with a great deal of courage and determination. It is clear that in trade and industry the country is making great strides. Invention and development are going forward in a remarkable manner, as demonstrated wonderfully in German shipping, both mercantile and naval, wherein some great ships arc being produced. Business in Germany is reported to be on a very satisfactory scale of activity, and as the nation is such a great one, the volume of trade must ho enormous, and ■gives the key to the. possible future of the country. Its possibilities in regard to trade and production were well demonstrated before the war. and the same industrial spirit appears to he rampant, and the desire now is to attract all the trade possible, the -surest means of meeting the heavy obligations of the war period.

Great Britain continues to hold its own in the money market, despite the trend of capital to New York. At one period it became necessary to check the outflow of money by raising the London rate, and the.step met with success and achieved the object. Australia and New Zealand both sent valuable gold shipments to England, and at the moment, despite the fact of some heavy commercial failures in London, the monetary outlook is satisfactory. Politically, the Commons have the Coal Bid before them, a measure which is going to test the ability of the Government to pass the Bill, for the Liberals and Conservatives are in opposition to lac measure, and concerted action by the two parties mentioned, would seal the fate of the MacDonald Ministry. But otTier impending events for which the Prime Minister lias paved the way are looming immediately ahead, and the House of Commons will not rob Mr MacDonald of the opportunity of reasing what lie has sown, when the Five Power iConference takes place next month.

His Majesty the King, to the delight .or all, lias made a remarkable recovery from an illness which almost carried him off. There was grave concern during the progress of his illness which touched all parts of the Empire, and his recovery was the occasion for special rejoicing and thanksgiving. His Majesty is to make his first public appearance again at the Five Power Naval Conference to sit in London next month, when representatives of the United States, Japan, France, Italy and Great Britain will once more discuss limitations and reductions. There has been an Anglo-American understanding arrived at, and also an Amen-(•an-.lapaue.se agreement. France and Italy have exchanged views, which, while not producing an agreement, must have led to a clearer understanding. The points already in agreement as between United States. Britain and Japan have no doubt been communicated in detail to the other Powers, so that there will lie a clear basis for consideration when all the representatives (including Mr AVilford for Now Zealand) assemble in London.

Of course it will ho too lmioli to expect a really agreement on nil points, hut a substantial understanding may ho expected. (lesturcs of good-will will ho made no clonht, hut it will bo realised that the needs and requirements of the nations are not alike, and there must he some discrimination. The policing of the seas are a necessity for various reasons, just as towns and hamlets have to be policed. But it

has to he recalled that the Kellogg Pact is not a scran of paper, and in that peace treaty there is the binding resolve to help each other if a belligerent attacks. If the spirit and meaning of the Kellogg Pact he observed, there should not lie the necessity or the occasion for great naval forces. All that is necessary is a force equal to the- sea mileage to he covered in guarding maritime unites, and in policing outpost territory which can he secured only by naval surveillame. On these lines great things are possible for the immediate peace of the world, and give colour to the hope that 193(1 will justify the hopes herein expressed.

The cable news lias revealed that the- closing year was specially had at Home for financial groups. Stock depreciated substantially in many instances, causing the speculating public to lose heavily. The Hatrv crash was a result of the heavy slump, and that collapse revealed a condition of affairs now the subject of criminal charges. Shipping stock was affected also, so that generally it was stated the London Stock Exchange experienced one of the worst fmaiuinl years on record. Just as the United States and Great Britain were adversely affected through tins means so were the oversea countries. ’flic disquieting labour conditions likewise affected stock values in Australia, and there was a decline in values reflected also in New Zealand. These monetary losses aggregated a very large sum, and the conui.e

of affairs has been reflected in many ways. The general effect has been to create a very sombre close to the year, and in places the end of 1129 is welcomed in the hope that 1930 will open moie encouragingly.

In the East there was the trouble in Palestine and Irak, with tense political situations in Egypt and India. 1 hese difficulties are far from solved, and will require much attention in the coming year. Further East China lias been well in the picture. China is awakening, we are told, and beginning to be more assertive. Foreigners are not being treated with the same deference. Internally China is much torn asunder and is a wonderful country to stand the lawlessness and pillaging which goes / on. There has been, also, a clash with Russia, with at present a tacit armistice, but the differences are far from settled. The Soviet has attained a footing in Great Britain at last, and there is a British Ambassador again in Russia; but the situation is not viewed equably by the British liat'fon, and there are many misgivings as to the probable outcome. As regards Europe, the best news is the talk at least of a United States of Europe, which suggests that the nations are realising the uneconomic state of affairs in the present armed relations, and the New Year, let us hope, will improve the outlook for peaceful understanding between all the possible belligerents.

Australia has had most difficult times. Politics have been much charged with party rivalries, and culminated in the advent of a. Federal Labour Ministry. The States have had their political factions also with varying results, but always pointing to the over-gov-ernment of the Commonwealth. Financial worries'a re besetting all the States and also the Federal authorities. These difficulties are not lightened by the frequency of labor troubles, and the long duration of the present coal crisis which has reached a most difficult position. Whether the situation can lie unravelled without dangerous developments, remains to be seen, but up to the present all the wise heads in politics, on the bench, or industrially engaged. cannot find a way out acceptable to the Miners’ ultimatum. This position, combined with, the general prevalence of unemployment, and the price drop in staple products for export, have produced a most difficult situation, which has become a real crisis lor the whole Commonwealth. And unfortunately tlie end is not vet.

New Zealand has had a year of public administration under the United Party, which though not the leading party in Parliament, has held the fort successfully. Sir Joseph Ward, through his personality has held the attention of the public, and there has been no desire on the part of the opposing forces in the House to combine and oust the Government. It is generally conceded that the parties do not want a genera] election at present, and are content to leave matters as they are, rather than risk the uncertainties of a poll. Be that as it may the United Party has held to its ta-sk, and has done well. Its efforts were checked to a considerable extent by the unfortunate illness of the Prime Minister, but lie as always the directing Force behind Parliament, and shaped the policy of the country. The most spectacular event was the laying of the unemployment troubles for the time being, hundreds of men according to promise being placed on public works iust when Parliament and the country was becoming restive as to the general 1 condition of affairs up and down the Dominion.

The Government effected some important reforms in general administration : shaped a definite railway and public works policy; grappled with the deficit leit l>v the previous Government, and imposed fresh taxation which the large land-owners are objecting to; entered upon a policy of closer settlement, and clean'd on the arrears of-loans under the advances to settlers and workers police. These were some of the cardinal performances, while in other directions the I’rime Minister and his colleagues evidenced a close and practical interest in national affairs, and maintained a progressive policy which sustained

the credit of New Zealand abroad and kept the country in the forefront as a safe, stable and loyal part of the Empire. It is pleasing to know the health of the Prime Minister has improved greatly, and there will be universal hopes up and down the Dominion, that he will be spared to lead the country as of yore along progressive and safe lines to ensure its financial stability and maintain the high reputation of New Zealand abroad.

\Yestland has had a fortunate year, and the closing period seems to mark one of the best within record. The district escaped the severe effects of the earthquake which was so disastrous in the northern part (J f the Coast, and was able to plod along maintaining industry and production in an increasing volume. There was, particularly m the later months, a revival m the sawnnlling trade, and that is important, for with our wealth of timber the district must prosper when the timber trade is good. The dairy tanners and stoek producers have had a. good year. Feed has been plentiful and production high. '1 lie values for stoek were particularly satisfying. Putter and cheese increased, and if the price of the former lias sagged for the time being, quantity assists to make good the monetary deficiency. Prices may become more stabilised with the upheaval of the money markets in the northern hemisphere, and if this be so there must be greater economy in producing costs to equalise the inevitable fail. Then centralisation will be the remedy to reduce costs and give the producer a better price. This seems .to grow more probable in the passing months.

There is no lack of enterprise in Westland, and the district must profit greatly from the important undertakings now under way. The rich goldfield of llimu, maintains its wonder--ul harvest and is to he worked on larger .scale, calling for an improved dreuge and greater power. The expenditure of some £75,C00 is ear-mark-ed for this work which will lie in band in the coming year. The development of electric power for Northern and Central Westland is now well forward. Some £65,050 has been expended in establishing the main stations, and reticulating the farming and milling areas. That work is to be augmented by further reticulation and other internal works, calling for additional large expenditure. The effect of this extra electric power is hard to estimate, as once it is available, it is possible it may become useful for so many industrial purposes, and the expansion .will carry with it greater prosperity. The experience of other localities where electricity is supplied, suggests that not only is a great convenience brought to the country residents, but also there are industrial possibilities awaiting local enterprise.

There are to be developments in flaxgrowing for which result a large company is now preparing Groves Swamp, while a second company has a sifhilar objective in South Westland. These are extra adjuncts to the usual industry of the district, and are indicative of the possible important changes to be brought in time to fruition. Strange to say in a district so highly mineralised as this is, mining developments are a standstill almost. The only activity outside' the very successful venture at Rimu Flat, is the enterprise near Oknrito where beach leads are to be worked. The day of the prospector seems almost to have passed, and without that enterprise there can be little chance of finding new deposits. It was hoped the new Government might revive the policy of tfie former Liberal regime for the promotion and development of gold mining under .scientific leadership ,such as could be provided by the Geological Department. But it is never too late to mend, and perhaps the new year will witness some practical revival of interest in the mineral possibilities ot the district and the Coast generally. Great improvements have been made, of late in the Westland roads. The completion of the bridges scheme for South Westland authorised two years ago, is now in sight. The advantage of the bridges, combined with the good roads, is attracting more and more visitors to the district. Westland has yet to come into its own in regard to the tourist traffic, for the most is not yet made of the Glaciers which are such unique attractions. The railways are kept busier, and the Arthur’s Pass tunnel has put up a record for traffic. The growth and substance of the railway traffic justifies a demand for the extension of the line into South Westland, and the new year should witness an agitation to that end. The prospering conditions of the district, combined with the natural assets of the place, deserve favourable consideration. Tins granted and other developments eventuating, the year on which we are now at the threshold, should witnessmore marked advance than ever in the fortunes of Westland. If these hopes are realised our readers will have the fuller opportunity of enjoying all that we now wish them in the time-honoured phrase—A HAPPY NEW YEAR.