The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, DEC. 31, 1892.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3201, 31 December 1892, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, DEC. 31, 1892.

" Ring out the old, riug in the new." With prayers from some and songs from others the old year goes to its grave, and the new bug ins its chequered career. From the earliest ages to our time many different customs have prevailed to give the old decent burial and a fitting reception for the new. Aside from outward manifestations, there is a sccret turning over of a new leaf with which we always intend to commence the new year. There

sire few who upou looking buck to past twelve months can congratulate tliemselvfis that they wi.sh no change in their mode of life during the twelve that tiro to conic. Where is the man who, unless he be a selfconceited fool, can conscientiously say that he lias done nil things well 1 We all purpose to be better than we were before ; we all resolve to do better than hitherto. Tins is the period for good resolutions. We all feel that we have already contributed largely to the pavement of a certain place not pleasant to name or contemplate ; this shall be so no longer is the mental resolve of all. Where is the man or woman who is not self-convicted of having contributed largely in the past? Alas ! How many are certain again to fail ? There is virtue, however, in good resolutions. Let the cynics and misanthropes who would discourage their making maintain silence, and remain isolated till the outward manifestations of hope for the future have passed away.

Bright hopes, that erst the bosom warmd And vows, too pure to be performed, And blown wide by gales of c.ire ; These, and such faint, half-waking dreams Like stormy lights on mountain streams, Wavering and broken all, athwart the conscience glare. Some good resolutions will be kept, and the world bo better and happier in consequence. Another natural subject for thought on reaching another of the imaginary lines which mark the age of people and nations is as to what are the prospects, so far as they car. be predicted, of the year we are about to enter upon. Each individual, according to his circumstances or disposition, is buoyed up with hope or bowed down with evil prognostications. All who look in the slightest degree beyond an horizon bounded by their own intentions and the results they anticipate from giving cfFect to them are aware that there are influences utterly beyond their indiridual control which have to he taken into account. They, if they are wise, recognise the fact that individual success in legitimate undertakings depends largely on the manner in which the public business of the country is administered, and in addition very much on tho manner in which the affairs of the world are conducted. The first, each individual, has the power to influence ; the latter, of course, are beyond the reach of his capacity to sway, except in an inappreciable degree. This being so we suggest that one of the good resolutions every man should enter on the first page of his diary should be to devote more attention to the public affairs of the country, and watch keenly for the first signs of the machinations of unscrupulous or misguided men, calculated to inflict injury upon the individual citizen or upon the country, and nip in the bud. On the other hand, by the aid of careful thought suggest reforms or alterations calculated to advance the country or to give cordial and earnest support to the suggestions of others having a tendency to the same eud. This is a more imperative duty than it has hitherto been, now, that our legislature has established a race of professional politicians. The experience of other countries teaches us the lesson that those men are always prepared to sacrifice country on the altar of party. They and their leaders act strictly on the principle that the spoil is for the victors, the conquered only a mass of humanity to be exploited. Are we not already having a taste of this system in advance? The evil is insidious and will creep upon us as does a thief in the night. The conquerors at. the present time are the Trades Unions. It is for the rest of the community to combine and keep in check the evil tendencies of a party, as yet not sufficiently far advanced in political education to foresee that injustice inflicted on any one class is certain to reflect upon their own and all others, and in adition seriously retard tho progress of the counti-y. Aside from politics it is again our pleasure to predict a prosperous year for the country settlers of the colony. There is every prospect of an abundant harvest and, let us hope better prices; although the dairying industry is not yet perhaps on altogether a satisfactory basis, it will nevertheless prove a valuable source of revenuo. The frozen meat trade, notwithstanding advorse predic(ions as to tlm failure of demand, wo believe will still prove remunerative and the most satisfactory mode of disposing of surplus stock. More land is being taken up, this means for the farmer less taxation and no decrease in prices for his products, as that is governed almost entirely by outside markets, ou the contrary the demand by new settlers will enhance the price.