The Pahiatua Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1933. THE PASSING YEAR.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12536, 30 December 1933, Page 4

The Pahiatua Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1933. THE PASSING YEAR.

The year now passing—the fifth of the depression—can be chronicled ns a momentous one. It opened with bright hopes of something tangible being accomplished for mankind at the World's Economic Conference in London, but the expectations wore not realised, there being no practical outcome of the discussions. The results of the deliberations at the Disarmament Conference have not proved altogether satisfactory. There has been a lack of unity, although earnest efforts are being continued in the cause of peace despite attempts at active militarism. Of the many notable events which have taken place among the nations, President -Roosevelt's national recovery drive and the repeal of prohibition in the United States must be included in the list. In Germany, the sweeping success at the polls of Hitlerism, has been outstanding, hut it. remains to be seen whether the iron rule will be for the betterment of the people. The bitter persecution of the. Jews by the Nazis will always remain a great blot upon that country’s history. In the Irish Eree State, the fierce political turmoil continues with consequences which will probably prove very disastrous if a reconciliation is not speedily effected between the rival factions. Politically, the past year has been quite an eventful one in New Zealand. The visit of the Prime Minister (Hon. G. W. Forbes) to the Economic Conference, the introduction of high exchange with its keen controversial issues, also the Sales tax, the resignation from the Coalition Cabinet of Hon. W. D. Stewart, the death of the late Deader of the Opposition (Mr H. E. Holland), and the recent passing of the .Reserve Bank Bill, all stand out prominently. The unemployment problem has again been a very perplexing one, and the end is not yet. As regards the primary producers, the brightest seen© in the economic horizon has been the sudden and eheer,ng big lift in wool. The dairy producer has cause to he very glum, but the latest advice from London is that the price of butter is now likely to show an improved tendency. In our own district the principal events included the visit of His Excellency t'he Governor-General and Lady Bledisloe. Ratepayers obtained a little relief by a reduction in rates, while the Pahiatua County Council has initiated a programme of tarsealing a portion of the; main road. Several new residences have been erected with the assistance of the unemployment subsidy. The district has lost by death a number of very useful and estimable citizens, and it is the poorer for their passing. The prospects for the future appear to be much brighter than was the case twelve months ago and to all our readers we extend the best wishes for A HAPPY* AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR