The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1920. THE DYING YEAR.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3665, 31 December 1920, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1920. THE DYING YEAR.

With which ia incorporated "The Talhape Post and Waimarino News."

Another eventful year comes to a close to-night, and to-morrow- another cycle of time will have been entered upon. During the past year there has been widespread uncer. tainty as to Whether civilisation would be saved from the world melting pot into which crowns and governments have been forced, a wave of democracy has swept almost over the whole earth, whether for good or Hi remains yet to be disclosed. An insano campaign of anarchy has done much to prevent reconstruction in many countries while in Russia there is yet the possibility that great country may be bled white. Early in the year Germany was threatened with industrial and national collapse, but a wonderful re. covery soon set in which augurs well for Germany's rapid recovery from the effects of the great war. The outstanding feature at the present moment is the terribly impoverlsned state in which the war and Its immediate aftermath have left, more or less, all peoples. The financial status of Britain is not fraught witn danger so long as industry does not suffer from wilful and unnecessary causes. Unfortunately, after defeating German militarism the Allies have had the humane duty thrust upon them of feeding their erstwhile enemies back to life. Austria Is threatened with being starved out of existence, while most of Central Europe is largely depending upon the Allies to save it from a little less worse fate. At the same time people in all countries have been waging a hard, determined fight against the high cost of living. The past year has largely been one of the individual struggling to find a place in the reorganised economy. Indications do now, however, "justify the belief that a definite trend towards easier conditions has well set "in, and ttiat benefits thereof will soon be felf amongst the masses of people everywhere. In the early days of the year the Peace Treaty was put into force but developments of time have , dls. closed a necessity for considerable important revision', for it was soon discovered that * Germany, In a condition of helplessness was a greate* menace £o the stability of peace anc progress, than when militantly powerful. The creation of a League of T ations has successfully eventuated despite the quittal of responsibility by the United States. Several sessions have been held, and a marvel., lously large volume of good work has been Thfe year 1920 is likely to go deep down into history of the future as a time when nations of the whole world came together with a view to evolving a substitute for war; for ending war and setting up a judiciary for, tne settlement of international disputes, fraught with elements that might eventuate in militant force. Why the United States is shy of, entering whale-hearteoTy Trito such a League is not readily understandable, but then, it took the Americans three years to make up.their minds to join issue with the Allies in laying Ger. man militarism, and it may require a. longer period for Americans to realise that it will prove beneficial to the peoples of the world to be rid or war altogether. Be that as it may tho fact is that Americans have not yet made their peace with the European central powers; Uncle Sam will -it he hurried, he chafes and frets if his- own hustjle happens to recoil. Amongst the problems threatening the peace of the world which are passing into the New Year are those in Ireland and Russia; what the ultimate is likely to be in either coun. try is not at present discernible. It will most likely be found that a reopening of trading relations between Britain and Russia ;will operate in the direction of rendering Bolshevism stingless. When Russians realise that they live in peace and plenty by selling their surplus products to Britain war will grow increasingly dis. tasteful to them. Other troubles which are beginning to loom dark over the horizon of peace are large, ly tinctured -with Jnpanese ambition. Japan is facing serious discord with China, with Russia, and with the United and each case is stllr pregnant with distressing possibilities. There is an undeniable race in

armaments taking place between America and Japan, which wiJl force Britain to expend more upon preparations for trouble than British people can; or carir-to afford. Polities during the past year have every, where been a struggle to get back to peaceful citizenship. There has been a realisation of the fact tnat much of the serious difference of opinion between Anglo-Saxon peopres has largely resulted from lack of means for securing better understanding. To assist in overcoming this difficulty an American Chair in the British University has been founded, with the hope thai develop, ment of national, or racial] .thought will proceed on more parallel lines. The American presidential election once more put the Republican PaFsy into power by a very large majority? and during 1920 the United States has permanently banned all alcoholic drinks from American territory. Obviously America has become the scene of important, far-reaching ex. perimental legislation. The Frenca Government ftas, after a long period, resumed diplomatic relations with the Vatican, and there are signs of great forces being at work to bring Italy to better relationship with the church. It seems, however, that Italians, are much too deeply steeped in a rabid socialism to ever return to pre-Garibaldian times. The Zion- _ _ • ist movement is energetically being organised, and hopes are entertained that Palestine will in the early future become the home and country of the Jewish people During the past year science and invention have progressed. Wireless telegraphy is giv_ing humanity a broader view of nature in many ways, although much is yet left to be discovered. Efforts have been made to communicate with the planet Mars but experiments were not eminent for their success, although much was learneff. Aerial flight and navigation is the subject of much study and expertmen t. Successful flights have been made from Britain to Australia; ""and from Cairo to the Cape of Good ft" surely such performances constitute a good cause for hoping that much more wonderful develop, ffients are only just undgr the mirface. Scientific research was never more actively prosecuted than during the past year. Very much of practical utility has been accomplished, and scientists solemnly affvise that the world is on the eve or making the most momentous discoveries. It is regrettable that art shows signs of languishing, but as it seems impossible for man to long neglect the beautiful m nature for the sombre, blocky utilitarian, there is sure to come a time when our streets -will again exhibit the art of the sculptor's chisel, our art galler. ies take on a new interest, and our concert rooms will be purged of a?r the trashy jingle of which they ar* now depressingly full. In New Zealand the past yeaFhas been crammed full politically, ~ industrially am? socially. Prices for our meat and wool have rather annoyingly declined just at a time when money for sof. dier settlement and reconstructs work is urgently needed, but any serious fall in values can only be oi a temporary character New Zealand ers have, the country and climate to work upon and if they are n discontented people the fault is theirs We most heartily wish all our readers a happy and prosoerou* Now Year.