The Daily News. MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1917. SHE PASSING OF THE YEAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 December 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1917. SHE PASSING OF THE YEAR.

So long as this planet on which we lire makes its daily revolutions, so long will the years come and go, the old giving way to the new just as darkness is succeeded by dawn. We take these fixed recurring movements as a matter of course. They all count, each in its own way being complete in itself, and yet forming a succession of links. S t o do our thoughts, our actions, our examples, and national life is but the reflection of individual existence. History is merely a chain of events, the links of which form a continuity that caii never be broken till the end of all things. Yet, as the days and years pass in quick succession, there is no monotony, no two alike, always some difference, and sometimes so crowded are the incidents that they get out of focus, or we lose our sense of proportion. Mankind in general is given to regarding passing events almost entirely from a personal point of view, and not from the communal aspect, hut there are times when even the most pronounced egoist finds himself carried into the vortex of a great disturbance, and wonders whether he can emerge again into calm water—whether he can exert his strength to be of service, or whether he may become a mere log and a source of danger to others. Such a time is the present, the fourth year of Armageddon when millions are engaged in the most terrible war that haa over been, and the certainty that an even more colossal conflict awaits the world in the not distant future unless the lust of bloodshed is exorcised and a durable peace secured. What of the year that is passing to-day? twelve months ago belligerent countries fo Europe were warmly discussing the note in which President Wilson invited them to state thetr war aims frankly, in the hope that some acceptable terms of peace might follow. The proposal was iSi«teted by a desire to be of service to humanity, the highest and best of all nwOwss, yet doomed to inevitable failure—*, failure so complete that within ft very few months the President himsall was drawn into the strife, and the United States declared war on Germany. Jfe greater condemnation of military autocracy am be found than in the fact that all the great democracies of the world are now at war against the Power that ins dared to set up the challenge, "Germany Over All," an armed menace to the wnrid at large. During the year <ho military situation changed considsrably, far Russia. has ceased to be a lactar, and the United Stetea las joined file AEiea. This may or may not prolong the war, for though then in modi talk just now xdstive to peaee term*, iS» raoepect of an eaxiy pesos appears to fc/no brighter than it w wfaan theyew oonnsenced, for ft fe*a been races«oy to provide awisianee far Italy, to am iter from a eraahtag Now. The flufeftending events competed with the

the memory of all to need recapitulation. There have been some glorious feats uf heroism, many valuable -victories, and a few regretablc blunders, but the courage and determination of the Allied troops has not only been maintained, but has been stimulated and increased. The submarine menace has been kept well in hand, while 1 the new standardised ships are being rapidlyturned out. In the aircraft the Allies have a supremacy that with America's help should soou prove a great, if not a determining, factor in winning the decisive victory. The Motherland has at last reached a satisfactory degree of organisation, under the guiding hand of Mr. Lloyd George—the man of the hour. The people of the Empire have made great sacrifices, and borne the war burdens with a calm courage and faith in victory. This is a fitting time for every man and woman to consider whether during the past year they have each done a 9 much as possible to help the cause, and not merely to resolve to do still more in the coming year, but to actually do it. New Zealanders have much to be thankful for in the continued prosperity of the Dominion, and Taranaki settlers are amongst those to whom good times have proved a boon, and it is to be sincerely hoped that the era of fat years will last so that we may all be enabled to do the utmost in our power to make the lot of our returned men, especially the maimed, as comfortable as possible. It is inevitable that the call on the people's purses will be continuous for many years, hence the oft-repeated exhortations to economy, the elimination of non-essentiajs, and a concentration on increased production. The heavy casual; ty lists testify to the great sacrifices that have been made in the defence of the Empire, and the end is not yet. It is, however, fervently to be hoped that before the passing of 1918 peace will be reached or be in sight. Meanwhile, if each one does his duty in the new year it will help forward the dawn of the era of peace, and in so doing will earn that happiness which results from the knowledge of duties well done. May the new year be productive of happiness to all our readers.