1921.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 42, 7 January 1921, Page 8

1921.

This will be our first appearance in the New Year and it is fitting that we should avail ourselves of the opportunity to wish our xeaders one and all happiness and prosperity in 1921. The old year went out under rather de. pressing circumstances. The fall in the wool market particularly cast a gloom over business during the last two months of the year ; and the effect of tighter money conditions is being felt on all sides. Three months ago we were sitting back under the impression that demobilisation was praetically complete; and that most Diggers were not only settled but satisfactorily settled. Now it appears that those who have gone on the land at enhanced prices are going to be up against it in 1921. It is not for us to ' attempt to predict the future, or even the immediate future, of the world's markets. Suffice it to say that Diggers on the land throughout the Dominion are following the trend of affairs with intense interest, and we must see to it that our Returned Soldiers' Associations are kept alive and. active to give them all the assistailce we can. To all Diggers particularly we extend our best wishes for 1921. May 'it be a year of great happiness and prosperity in our Dominion. May our difficulties be easily overcome. May our joys be many, and above all, may we pull together for the common goocl ; sharing our joys, and working hancl in hand when difficulties have to be faced. If we do, we need have no fear of the results when we come to the end of this "New Year." Christmas Eve saw the usual Tiuge holiday crowd ofi to Stewart Island, and we learn that the voyage was made under the usual "rough" conditions. It seems a pity that the undoubted attractions of this delightful resort should be isolated from so many by the unplesant. ness of the sea voyage across the Straits. There seems to be little, if any, hope of a more suitable boat being put on the trip in the meantime, but it is a matter which must be kept constantly in view until bet. ter arrangements are made. Meanwhile the enterprising Aviation Co. from Timaru

contemplate establishing a passenger service from Invercargill to Halfmoon Bay | by seaplane. It is thought that the estu. ary at Invercargill will make an ideal base, and if the trip by air can be made in about thirty or forty minutes it will most cer tainly attract plenty of passengers. Good luck to them. On the whole Southland has been favoured with exceptionally fine weather for the holidays, and the" various sporting. festiviti,es have had a successful issue. We can indeed be proud of our province and of the holiday attractions it affords at this period of the year. Visitors to Southland are provided with sports and amusements which must compare favourably with any other part of the Dominion. Our heartfelt thanks go out to that huge army of officials (mostly honorary officials), who do the work and organise and control these holiday attractions. Their labour is in most cases a labour of love ; but their reward will arrive when by these same holiday features we attract more and more of our friends from the north to visit us here in Southland. It is by such means that we shall popularise our district and make for the progress which this fair province deserves. . The Americans are to be" congratulated on their easy victory over Australia in the Davis Cup. The popular president of the local R.S.A. was on the spot and readers of "The Digger" can look forward to some interesting comments on the play from his facile pen in an early issue. It was unfortunatg that the weather interfered to some extent with the arrangements; but the overwhelming suceess oi the Americans fully entitles them to the premier position in the tennis world. Contemporarily with the loss of the Davis Cup, the Australian cricketers seem to be on the right road to win the ' ' Ashes' ' from the English XI. in a series of Test Matches. Tremendous interest prevails in the Old Country over these tests and. the failure of the Englishmen to date must be most disappointing. Their bowling strength was notoriously open to criticism, but their batting was considered to be strong, and their failure in this department of the game is very surprising. Engglish critics, judging by recent cables, admit that tfiey have probably under-rated the all-round ability of the Australians. Whatever reasons or excuses are put forward, the fact remains that Australia fias now won, and won comparatively easily, two tests out of the five ; and the English. men must win the remaining three matches to avoid defeat. Our money ;s naturally on Australia.