THE DYING YEAR. What Prospects Ahead?

Free Lance, Volume VI, Issue 287, 30 December 1905, Page 6

THE DYING YEAR. What Prospects Ahead?

NINETEEN Hundred and Five has written itself large on the page of history. Its leading events are pregnant with consequences reaching far out into the future. Japan has decisively established her position among the first-class powers of the earth, and the Russian Colossus has been beaten to its knees, and has ceased for ever to be a bogey among her sister nations. At present autocracy in Russia seems to be in its death throes. The hour of revolution has struck, and a mighty struggle for freedom is being waged between the forces of despotism and democracy. Let us hope the people may win their emancipation without the horrors and the terrible bloodshed that too often attend the birth of pupular rights. * * • Britain stands before the world stronger than ever. The new treaty with Japan is the surest guarantee that could be given for peace in the Far East. It also brings more closely home to us the fact that some day we n) ay have to grapple with the yellow problem in a manner that means life or death to us as a nation. So far the portents are favourable. At Home the Liberals have acceded to power, and reforms are in the air. Britain has strengthened her friendly relations with France and the United States, and outside the borders of unhappy Russia peace reigns supreme. May it long continue. * * • For New Zealand 1905 has been a golden year. Our staple products have been bringing top prices in the world's markets. Trade, commerce, and manufactures have been thriving and progressive. Employment is plentiful, wages are good, money is abundant, comfort widely diffused, and a more contented people could not be found on the face of the globe. King Dick has won his greatest triumph at the elections, and meets Parliament next year with an overwhelming majority to carry out the mandate of the people, which is " Go ahead with your Liberal programme. We trust you." * * * The year has been memorable for the ridiculous voucher, for the extinction of the New Liberal Party, and for the conquering career of the New Zealand Football Team through the Old Country. This football tour, by the way, has given New Zealand the biggest advertisement it has ever had, and though it sounds funny to say so, it adds another tie to the many that bind the colonies together, and hastens the day of complete federation. Before you laugh just turn it over in your

mind. People are apt to attach too much importance to politics, and too little to good fellowship. And the best way to get to know a man and to like him is to meet him frequently in friendly rivalry, let it be cricket, football, bowls, or what you will. Australia with her cricket has added a few strands to the ties of kinship. New Zealand with her football is knitting in a few more. • • • Well, watchman, what are the prospects for the morrow? There is a soft glow in the horizon bespeaking fair weather ahead for this batteredold world of ours. Here in New Zealand we inhabit the Fortunate It-les. All the omens spell out a bright and happy future. Let us be worthy of it. It is the season for good resolutions ; for turning over a new leaf and all sorts of things. You've all made them many times before, and failed to keep them. Never mmd, try again. Pay back those good deeds done to you in the past year by unrequited friends. Forget those grudges you've been nursing to keep warm. Give several bad eggs you wot of another chance. Pour out the milk of human kindness while it's fresh and warm. Let in a little sunshine upon some sad hearts and homes. Be hearty and laugh. It will do you a power of good. If you achieve all this, you'll at least be doing your little bit to realise our hearty wish of "A Happy New Year" to All.