The Daily News. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1920. THE PASSING OF 1920.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 December 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1920. THE PASSING OF 1920.

The last day of the present year has arrived, and its close will usher in a new year. So for countless ages has this world of ours revolved around the sun, the seasons succeeding one another in regular sequence, generation after generation witnessing the changes, and in their turn being numbered with the past and others taking their place. That which lies behind us is partly matter of history and in other part speculation or scientific inference, but from what is known there can b v e gleaned certain lessons that, if wisely applied, will help in the uplifting of humanity, the advancement of civilisation, and the promotion of the general welfare of mankind. What the future holds we know not, and we can only hope and strive to the best of our 'several abilities and limitations. When the year 1920 opened thep appeared to be a prospect of universal peace and progress being attained before many months were over, ana that the war impoverished countries would manifest encouraging signs of recovery. Although the position has materially impro-zed in several respects, yet so much more might have 'been accomplished that regret must be felt at the comparative failure to take the utmost advantage of the opportunity to rehabilitate the world, or at least to reach an advanced stage of ihe road to convalescence and stability. The terribly oppressive financial burdens connected with the war. the depreciation of the i standard currency, and the higli post pf the aeeessariei of life havs

been a marked feature of the year, defying all the efforts of statesmen and economists to find a solution, so that instead of the position being improved- it has become worse, as the increases of the wages of the workers have intensified instead of mitigated the evil, while the tendency towards profiteering has in some quarters almost become an obsession. It was hoped when the year opened that greater production would normalise the economic situation, and provide ample employment for all the workers. That hope has fallen far short of fulfilment, and the close of the year finds the unemployed problem very acute in Britain and other countries, including America. At the same time strikes have been prevalent, and the Labor world appears to be doing its worst to kill industries whereon the people depend for existence. European countries, especially Germany and Russia, are suffering from a lack of money wherewith to carry on industrial activities, and it has come to be recognised that long credits are necessary in regard to raw material if the depression is to toe overcome. Unfortunately Germany is still spending large sums of money in surreptitiously maintaining warlike establishments in defiance of the Peace Treaty, and is still avoiding all her financial obligations to the Allies. The eft'eet of this is to compel the Allies to maintain their armies and navies on a war footing instead of making drastic reductions. Although the League of Nations has been successfully launched and accomplished some useful preliminary work, the abstention of America materially hampers progress in the real business of the League. From an international point of view the closing year has been disappointing, yet not disheartening, as the prospects for the coming year are certainly brighter than they were twelve months ago. The people of the Dominions have good cause to be satisfied with the prosperity experienced in .1920. In no o'ther country have conditions been so favorable as in New Zealand, and the outlook justifies confidence in the future, provided the workers fully realise the advantages they enjoy and refrain from attempting to wreck the prosperity which those in less favored countries may well envy. The small remnant of the pioneers who laid the foundations of this prosperity may well be amazed at the value of the country's exports. Theirs was the true indomitable British spirit, and it would be well if those who are bent on creating industrial troubles would emulate that spirit 'of building-up, construction, and not destruction, be- [ eoming the aim of all. On the whole the year that is within a few hours of being numbered with the past has been full of experiences, all conveying their lessons from which the future can and should be made 'brighter aad better than the past. It is within the power of every normal individual to help towards the moral, social and political advancement of the country. Although this may entail a measure of self-sacrifice, it' is worth while striving for, and if this were cheerfully accorded there would be a true ring in the wish that at this time is being uniyersally exchanged by the customary"greeting of "A. HAPPY NEW YEAR."

FIUME. The entrance of General Caviglia into Flume will, it is to be hoped, bring to an end one of the most discreditable situations Italy had to face. Had the Italian Government done its obvious duty when d'Annunzio first raised the standard of rebellion the movement would have been crushed speedily and thoroughly, but this mad poet was allowed to defy the Government, and to pose a 9 a patriot, with the result that the trouble grew and Fiume beeame a hotbed for nurturing the iihpetuous impulses so characteristic of the Italian race. The incident is one that exemplifies how political exigencies may thwart sound policy. The solution of the problem concerning the future of Fiume presented 110 serious difficulty, and could have been settled out of hand. That it was allowed to drift into a rebellion was entirely due to the incompetence of the Italian authorities. Manifestly there could be but one end to D'Annunzio'ts self-imposed dictatorship; it had to be suppressed. This has at length been accomplished, and there should be no further obstacle to a peaceful settlement of the Adriatic question. The new nationalities in this quarter of the globe can now settle down to the work of development and make use of tho port as an outlet to the sea. Fiume was formerly a free town of the Hungarian kingdom, and the Government spent large sums in improving the harbor, which is picturesquely situated on the Gulf of Quanero, in the north-east extremity of the Adriatic. It is satisfactory to know that a prosperous future awaits this town, and with reasonable care Fiume should play an important part in the future prosperity of the regions bordering on the Adriatic.