THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1930. LIGHT AND SHADE IN 1930.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20760, 31 December 1930, Page 10

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1930. LIGHT AND SHADE IN 1930.

As light and shade are the substance of those pictures which appear continuously to illustrate the course of daily events, so light and shade are the components of life itself. If a review of the year 1930, as its events have affected New Zealand. must perhaps admit more shadows than make up a normal proportion, to ignore the lights, or to deny their existence, would be to present a.wholly false picture. There have been difficulties, there has been hardship, there is doubtless truth in the common belief that the shadows will be projected across the borderline between this year and the next. Tho fact that this possibility is recognised, is taken seriously yet not with dismay, can be counted as one of the lights, if not the most important of them. To connect concrete circumstances with the image, the development of world-wide depression with a consequent fall in the prices of almost all commodities, especially those which are most directly the products of the soil, has been the heavy shadow which has fallen across this country. It would be foolish as well as craven to ignore this feature of the national life; it would bo foolish to give way to despair or to sink into the lethargy that frame of mind inspires. It- can be taken as a hopeful sign, as one of the best possible portents, that this has not occurred. In face of a future nofc yet stabilised this country still stands undismayed. Those on whom tho shock has fallen most heavily, the primary producers, are carrying on steadfastly. Complaints are heard; they would be more than human if they did not sometimes complain, but there is evidence all around that the spirit and the steadfastness that brought the country through earlier times of hardship still leaven its manhood. That can be acknowledged thankfully in saying farewell to 1930. In public affairs the year has been one of change, but not of turmoil. A new Government came into existence before its course had been half run. Soon afterwards the country mourned the loss of Sir Joseph Ward, the leader, full of years and experience, whom failing strength had forced a little while before to hand his responsibilities to others. He had had a long and strenuous career, marked by many and acute controversies; but at his passing no false note marred the sincerity with which his loss was deplored by men of every shade of feeling. The new Government entered office with an acknowledgment that the course ahead promised to be neither smooth nor clear. The country was warned that the financial outlook called for hardship and self-sacrifice. Its anxieties still press upon the country. The measures taken to meet times of emergency are the subject of controversies which cannot be touched upon at the moment. It is enough to say that New Zealand is still more fortunate than many other countries, and it should be an article of faith with all New Zealanders that the qualities of their country and of its people will enable it to weather the present difficulties, to win its way to a strength that will be all the greater because of obstacles surmounted. As one consequence of the year's circumstances, New Zealand is committed to a scheme for handling unemployment which differs from anything tried before. It, too, was born amid controversy and is still regarded with mixed feelings. Despite that fact, the obligations it jilaces on the community have been generally accepted, it is being given the fair trial which is its due. These features, the steps taken to reconsider the whole policy of railway construction, and the departure of the Prime Minister to an Imperial Conference have been the outstanding events in the public life of New Zealand. If there has been no tale of great achievements, something must be allowed for the general circumstances of the country during the whole of the year. When the year 1929 was under review mention had to be made of an earthquake, of extreme violence, which convulsed a great part of the South Island. Happily 1930 produced nothing of this kind. Free from disastrous manifestations of nature's power, New Zealand has also been fortunately free from visitations of epidemic disease. An event of high importance, at first thought capable of very serious consequences, occurred where man has pitted his strength against the forces of nature, at Arapuni. The course of events there need not lie traced. It is still fresh and familiar, but the manner in which, after close examination by a, famous expert from overseas, the Arapuni scheme was declared basically sound deserves mention. A dramatic event which stirred this country was the ! loss in mid-ocean of the mail steamer Tahiti, outward bound from Wellington. The rescue of all on board came as a profound . relief to the public. To turn to the lighter side of life. When the year opened a party of English cricketers was in the country, engaged in what proved a, highly-successful tour. Later a British Rugby football team came, and among other engagements played a series of test matches from which New Zealand emerged victorious but not unscathed. A feature of the year has been the continued rapid development of flying by non-official organisations, evidence that an air sense is evolving in this country. Such things demand mention because they help to round off the chronicle of 1930. They also help to exemplify the earlier observation that life resolves itself into light and shade, and thoy relieve the shadows which must-be admitted as the course of the year is examined. The difficulties of the'times are undeniable, but a resolute determination to face them frankly and courageously is the soundest spirit in which to greet the coming year.