The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1925. WHAT OF THE NEW YEAR ?

Gisborne Times, Issue 10191, 31 December 1925, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1925. WHAT OF THE NEW YEAR ?

With tlie passing of another year, many will indulge in their customary retrospect and then attempt to look into the future ir. the nope of discerning what the coming twelve months may have in store. At once, it may be said of 1525 that it has witnessed much development of the process of stabilisation in iaspect of tlie war-torn world. As far as this small Dominion is concerned, it must be ackno vledged that it has fared tolerably well, and maybe better than any other portion of tiic King’s great Empire, judged by tlie extent of material prosperity that has been enjoyed. Material progress is, of course, not everything hut, as it so happens, piogrese in oth-w directions is necessarily hampered in times of depression and unrest. E.rom all accounts, hardly a single country of r.ote has been altogether free from strife of some sort or another. Momentm-ly, the United States would seem to have flourished more than any other nation. And, still, the great Anglo-Saxon Republic has had its full share of social and industrial trials and tribulations. In the case of Western Europe progress has, necessarily, been restricted owing to the absence, until within recent weeks, of a definite understanding between Germany and her Allies. There are now, however, good grounds for believing that the tide has turned in favour of better conditions all round. Alone of the great Powers, Russia would appear to Ire hopelessly crippled meantime. Let us trust, in particular, that the Motherland will he able, during the new year, to extricate herself Tom the plight of depressed markets and consequent heavy unemployment. That her statesmen are hopeful is pleasing nous. Hei great influence ;s, happily, once again the outstanding factor in international. relations,. :-s witness the wcmdeiful success which attended her intern entiuii in connection with the Treaty of Locarno. She has, too, been relieved of a great source of internal worry by the new London agreement, which promises to bring about a United Ireland. What may now be anticipated is that 1926 will free immense progress made hi the direction of settling the problems of Egypt, of Irdia and of [H.aq. Unfortunately, world stabilisation is not proving as swift a process as had been anticipated It lias been found that debtor mtions require continuous nursing and, as it has so happened, all of them, with the sole exception of Britain, have .shown a decided inclination to place self interests before those of their creditors. But, if the Homeland has continued to suffer financially on account of the shabby treatment meted out to her bv her debtor nations, she lias risen to even greater heights m the world s estimation by pursuing her great ideal of ‘ ‘playing the game” both towards those nations to which she is indebted and towards those which remain in debt to her. What a glorious state of affairs it would be if the coming year should result in greater co-operation between the people of the British Isles and their kith and kin overseas! There is still loom for a tremendous amount of development work within the Empire, and, as it becomes accomplished, happiioss and prosperity must assuredly grow by leaps and bounds. In tlie case of this Dominion, it is ready once again to forge ahead. Rolitical tranquility happily reigns as a sequel to the recent appeal to the people and, now that the much regretted strike of overseas seamen is a thing of the past? no signs of serious strife mar the industrial horizon. An improvement in the world’s markets for tills Dominion’s primary produce would, unquestionably, mean a big thing to its people. It would enable further steady advancement to be made in connection with national works and in providing increased social utilities. At the same time, it would be a clear indication of a. vast and badly needed improvement in conditions across the seas, especially in the Motherland. In the strongest holies that the coining twelve months may be marked by continued advancement toward stabilised , conditions and that our readers may enjoy increased happiness and prosperity, we extend to one and all the time-honor-ed wish of— A HAPPY NEW YEAR.