THE H.B. TRIBUNE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1925. CHRISTMAS PROMISE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVI, Issue 11, 24 December 1925, Page 4

THE H.B. TRIBUNE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1925. CHRISTMAS PROMISE.

To-morrow the herald of good tidings of greal joy will not yet find completely fulfilled his proclamation of peace on earth and good wiJl among men. It may be said, however, that this so devoutly to be wished consummation appears to be within much more measurable distance than for some years. Among the nations, at any rate, whose peoples are professers of the religion whose Founder was born into this world 1925 years ago Peace reigns, perhaps not triumphantly, but still hopefully, and as among them there seems good prospect of its being maintained indefinitely. During the year that is now so near its close it has to be gratefully recognised that very much has been done towards achieving this end. The League of Nations has shown more distinct signs than at any time since its institution of functioning fully. The nations themselves arc giving definite indications of acquiring confidence in its justice and integrity and a disposition to submit themselves and their differences to its arbitrament. Even in the highly explosive region of the Balkans, where so many of Europe’s wars have found at least ostensible reason for their outbreak, we have, within only the last few weeks, had an ugly “incident” that, under old conditions might easily have led to set armed hostilities, handled in such a way that all such evil consequences have been averted. This is most certainly an omen of good augury for the preservation of peace where it had the most likelihood of being broken. Whether the Pact of Locarno will realise all that is hoped of it remains

for the years to tell. Of this, however, we may speak with assurance, that it promises a better chance of promoting friendly relations between traditional enemies of Western Europe than has yet been afforded by any treaty of the kind. Given the adherence to it which not only .written obligation but material interests dictate, unprovoked aggression on either side will involve such consequences from combined action as to give even the most reckless cause for taking thought twice before moving. The invitation to Germany to come into the League of Nations has not yet been formally accepted, but it seems safe to say that this is sure to follow, as without her subscription to its Covenant she cannot get the benefits of the Locarno Pact. This will immensely strengthen the power of the League for good, and could America only bring herself to sharing the responsibilities of membershin this association might be regarded as complete. That, however, seems a hone not to be fulfilled at any early date by a nation that so fondly worships the old fetish of isolation. Still, it may be said that, in or out of the League, America will pro- | bably always be on the side that is [ striving for the preservation of peace and be found lending at least I her moral support to that end. Thus the general outlook as among the Christian peonies seems very much brighter for the restoration of real good will than it did twelve months ago, and it must be matter of gratification to us all that statesmen of the Motherland are in a very large measure responsible for the improvement in the prospect. Coming to conditions as we find them in our own little remote country, we have, most of us at any rate, very much to make us thankful when we come to make comparisons with those that hold elsewhere. The wave of prosperity that broke over us a year ago has shown signs of having spent itself, and our products are not realising anything like the values given them at that time. Those values were, however, no doubt greatly inflated, and it may be doubted whether like the best use was made of the unexpected money they brought into the country. A setback may therefore not be other than in our best eventual interests if it has the effect of checking the obviously extravagant expenditure that was then made only too apparent. Even as things are to-dav we of New Zealand are probably, taken all round, the most happilv placed communitv on the face of the globe and for this we should bo thankful to the Providence that has provided us with such relatively easy conditions of living. It is for us at this season to have no forgetfulness for at least those of the Old Country from which we sprang, where at this very time of what should be universal joy and festivity there are many thousands who will not bn able to indulge in anything of the kind. Apart from this thought for those so far away from us. there seems no reason why we should not. with all good prospect of its fulfilment, extend to our readers the good old wish of— A MERBY CHRISTMAS TO ALL