Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY, DEC. 31, 1930. THE PASSING YEAR

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17454, 31 December 1930, Page 6

Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY, DEC. 31, 1930. THE PASSING YEAR

It is unwise to judge the historical importance of events when too close ,to them, and consequently it would not bo prudent, perhaps, to say all that some of us would like to say regarding the year now swiftly ebbing to a (jlose. Wjth all its difficulties and disappointments it may yet be reckon cd as a year of importance in oui national history—a year in which bedrock was found, the/necessity for adjustments realised, and the way paved to a new era of vigor and prosperity'. It seems to be generally' recognised that the world is . on the eve of momentous changes, and wo arc amongst, those who believe that the British nation, with its inherent honesty, enterprise, and “doggedness” will emerge triumphant from present difficulties. To secure that end it is necessary' that the component parts of the Empire should act in a greater measure of co-operation, and .1930 will have this much to its credit that it opened the way to a better understanding of the Empire’s problems and the need for unity than any year that has preceded it. Though the main purpose for which the recent Imperial Conference was called, the development of inter-Empire .trade, did not seem to be realised, there is reason, to hope that when negotiations are reopened at‘Ottawa next year the effect of plain speaking from the Dominions and the pressure of economic conditions on Britain will be manifest, and that a real start will be made with the policy of Imperial co-operation. So far as international affairs are concerned it may bo said for 1930 that it has been a year of peace, excepting for such jninor conflicts as arc liable alwny's to occur in the South American republics and for the insurgent strife which has become almost chronic in China. Many of the nations of Europe, however, are supporting larger armies and bigger naval forces than they did before the war. The budgets of nlmost all Govcrnmlents national defence are larger than they were in 1913. There are constant trials of new gnus and new submarines, new explosives and new asphyxiating gases. International boundaries arc guarded by regiments of soldiers and guns posted at strategical points. Germany makes no concealment of her aim of getting back the Polish Corridor; Yugo-Slavia and Italy' arc eternally' jockeying for advantage on the Mediterranean; Franco and Italy regard each other with suspicion. There are a score of thorny problems in the, international polity' of Europe remaining to be solved. “Europe,” writes one commentator, “is drifting back into the old morass, because no one has the courage to talk out straight from the shoulder on the question of disarmament and to back up bis speech with practical proposals. Every' statesman in Europe admits that the only way to redueo armaments materially is to establish sonic form of international police, some cosmopolitan army powerful enough ana numerous enough to enforce the decision of the majority, and no statesman in Europe thinks this is to-day possible. The Covenant of the Longue of Nations expressly provides that one of its essential aims shall be the reduction of armaments. Yet the League meets year after year in an ntmosphoro of fear and distrust. After twelve years It can point to no single

practical step that has reduced land armaments by a single rifle. The United States, which could take the lead in such a. movement, hangs back through fear of the bogey of entangling alliances; and the mistrust of one another which the nations bring to Geneva is only watered and fertilised by the discussions there.” In the economic sphere there is ever-increas-ing competition amongst the nations. Russia has re-entered as a factor of international trade and.by her extensive dumping has disturbed markets already severely depressed. Trade experiences in 1930 have impressed upon the British people, even in freetrade centres like Manchester, that it is necessary to safeguard industries and for British people everywhere to pull together. Depressed markets and depressed. budgets arc teaching people the’necessity for economy' and thrift, and in the long run the result cannot fail to be good. In New Zealand as in Australia, though perhaps not to so great a degree, there has been a tendency' to over-run the constable, and depend too greatly on borrowed money.. Adjustments now in process will have salutary eft’tmfs, and bad times,"like bad seasons, will pass and prove to have been only' occasionally' recurrent. New Zealand stands in better shape than most countries to weather the storm of depression. As for our own district, we .believe.' it. I o be undoubtedly' the best in New Zealand. Its gcographncal location gives it a most favorable climate; its soil is unequalled and responds wonderfully to treatment. Road facilities within the district in the last few years have greatly improved, but what the district needs to secure, a, full measure of development is connection with 1 ho railway' system of the Dominion, and this for the present is denied us. May' wo hope that .1931 will see a reversal of tho Government’s decision and a renewal of energy upon this important national undertaking. Amongst the accomplishments of 1930 must be noted the completion of our inner harbor. It is a very tidy little port and should serve the district well for many years to come, resulting in reduction of handling charges on our merchandise that will fully justify the outlay on the harbor. Trade in Gisborne has been well maintained, despite tho curtailment in the spending power of the pooplo, consequent on the fall in market prices, and this result is undoubtedly largely due to the improvement of road communications enabling settlers in outlying parts formerly remote from Gisborne to come more closely into touch with the central local market. The volume of production in the district is steadily increasing and we know of no district where, given good, seasons and a reasonable basis of value for staple products, the prospects arc brighter. Let us hope that 1931 will see a definite revival of the m(arkets, and that to one and all of us it may prove a happy and prosperous New Year.