The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, December 30, 1909. THE ODD YEAR AND THE NEW.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 703, 30 December 1909, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, December 30, 1909. THE ODD YEAR AND THE NEW.

“ A Happy New Year to you, sir.” “The same to you, and many of them,” is the frequent salutation of' the moment. We are pleased to record the sentiment, and would be sorry to think that the time is approaching when the Christmas and New Year wishes would be regarded as an empty sentimentalism associated with oldfashioned notions, and discarded. The wishes of friends we know are futile to either make or mar our future, and upon ourselves to a large extent depends our success or failure. ’At the same time there is a sense of comradeship in. the worn old phrases that stirs v the heart’s better feelings, and leads often to an effort to produce the best, and ‘‘ play the man.” The admirer ot Dickens will remember with pleasure how this characteristic is illustrated in the action of old Scrooge in the famous Christmas story, and how the “Merry Christmas” wish of his light hearted nephew, at first resented by the old, hard, unsympathetic, close-fisted uncle, shortly, afterwards wrought a revolution in his heart, and led him to a series of actions that were as astonishing to himself as they were incredible to the few that knew him intimately. At the risk of being regarded oldfashioned; yet with the hope that our wishes may touch a soft spot in our readers’ soul, we wish you, one and all, a

HAppy New Year

The year 1909 has now almost winged its flight, and the present moment seems a suitable time to review the past, and gather' up the threads of the present and future. The year that has now almost gone has been a very eventful one viewed from several aspects. In the great Empire, of which we are proud to regard ourselves as part, important and momentous movements have taken place' In the beginning of the present year we were thrown into a state of anxiety for our national safety. First of all ‘here was great depression in I ndustrial circles in the old land, a-. 'd much discontent in consequent- and pressing hard upon that wet, \grave rumors affecting the safety of pur national existence. The almost panic reports of naval activity in Germany and elsewhere, stirred the patriotic feelings of the whole Empire, and in the “.Dominions beyond the seas,” aroused patriotic sentiments of the highest type, which found practical expression in the offer of battleships to the nation of the most modern class. Whatever diversity of opinion may exist as to the cause of all the unrest these rumours created, it afforded a splendid exhibition of the “ crimson thread of kinship that runs through us all,'’ of which Sir Henry Parkes' used to speak. To-day the alarmist is still chatterigg about our unpreparedness to defend our shores and interests, but the average man is content to let things take their course, knowing how very well the Britisher is able to stiffen his back in the hour of danger.

" In the old country the most inter-' esting subject is the approaching general election. Probably never before in the history of Great Britain has there been such an array of political force. The, Lords who are generally passive onlookers at election times, are on this occasion taking an active interest in the contest. The reason of this Is that their very existence -!.

verdict of tm? electors,' The action' of the House of Lords in rejecting’ the Budget, has resolved itself not as to whether the Budget is good or bad, but whether the House of Lords is to continue mutilating the measures sent up by the People’s House, and so destroying the democratic will. The probaiities are that the present election will decide two important issues, the passifig or rejection of the Budget (a people’s measure) and the security of the Lords. To oust the present Government the Unionists have a formidible if not an impossible task. ;K sis ■ . * Allowing for the gains which have been secured by Unionists at by-elections, they still have to win 169 seats above what they may lose in order to -secure a bare majority. This is a very heavy task. The Liberals, with the Labour party, now hold 327 seats in England, and in Scotland, Ireland and Wales, 175, to 30 held by the Unionists, and the fate of parties appears to depend almost . entirely on the success the Unionists may meet with in these constituencies. Throughout Great Britain the strength of parties stand: Government supporters 513, Unionists 157. In the face of the fact that a strong feeling exists against the Lords, it seems incredible that the position of parlies can possibly be reversed. The coming year will probably see a radical change in the constitutional institutions in Great Britain whatever happens at the polls, and we predict the return of the Liberal Government with a substantial majority. * * What perhaps interests us more than even an Imperial election is the prospects for our industries. At the beginning of the present year we were in the unfortunate position of having experienced a heavy fall in prices in wool, flax and mutton. The depression that followed is a matter of history now, but at the time it was seriously disconcerting. Since then however there has been a satisfactory improvement in every line, with the result that throughout New Zealand all classes of the commnuity are in splendid heart, and business generally is good. The prospects for the coming year are satisfactory, and in wool particularly, if reports are to be depended on, many thousands of pounds sterling in advance of present earnings will find their way into the Dominion. ’There is good' reason to believe that the hemp market has a firm foundation, and it is confidently belived that the coming year will prove a highly satisfactory one from that point of view, which is of paramount importance locally. -U >1; Coming nearer home, as we look back over the year now almost gone, we have to congratulate the people of Foxton on the progress that has been made. There has been no sudden burst of prosperity, but there has been steady useful work done. In matters municipal our civic fathers have looked the needs of the borough in the face, some of the work that was promised at last election has ixeen satisfactorily fulfilled, especially in reference to the improved footpaths which have certainly been a great advantage to the centre of the town, the report of Mr CHmie in reference to the water and clensing schemes are furnished, the adoption of which by the ratepayers will complete the council’s labours in that connection. * * * In reference to Harbour Board aiffairs,. it is a matter of congratulatidn Jhat’the Board are fully alive to the needs of the river, and are doing their utmost with the valuable aid of Mr E. Newman M.P. for the district, to have the port put in a satisfactory con- . dition. The Chamber of Commerce have not been by any means idle, and although meeting with a good deal of opposition from the Government in reference to its demands for certain local needs, is' still pegging away and there is no doubt will ultimately succeed, & * * .The ‘ Horticultural Society has again been doing good work, and we have no doubt will daring the coming year do better than in the past. * * * In sport, the last year’ has been a notable one, and we trust. the coming year will see no diminution of the interest in clean, manly contests, # In private matters, the past year has been one of promise, which will find its fulfillment in the year 1910. The fires of the year in the destruction of Greig’s mill, and the more disastrous one of Ross’ ropeworks, in the former case has been renewed, and in the latter case will be so in a fine new fireproof building, which will ,be in course of construction in the near future. The letting of a contract for wharf and conveniences on the river front for the West Coast Shipping Company has been let, and makes another step in the way of progress, while the Napier Fibre Company, " which recently secured certain lands, are, we understand, on the high way to commence business. ** ■ * Altogether, the year 1910, so far as Foxton is concerned, gives evidence of being a progressive one, and with a prosperous year and happy industrial relationships, it is with a good anticipation of its fulfilment that we wish all our readers a “ Ha£p y and Prosperous . New Year.” • ■ I