THE Temuka Leader TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1900. THE OLD AND NEW.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3530, 2 January 1900, Page 2

THE Temuka Leader TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1900. THE OLD AND NEW.

We have now entered upon the last year of the present century. It has been the most wonderful century of all the centuries, and of all its years this last has been one of the most notable. The most remarkable feature of all the year was the Peace Conference, called together by the Czar of Russia, and what has since followed. This conference was held with the view of establishing universal peace, and representatives from all the leading Powers of the world were present. There was much fine talking about the beauties of universal peace, and it was suggested that there should be no further increase made in the armaments of the world. Within a very short time, however, we find the Emperor of Germany asking for a loan of £29,000,000 to improve the navy; the Czar of Russia was also discovered as active as ever in his preparations for war; and finally Great Britain has the largest army she ever employed fighting the Boers in South Africa. It is true that the war with the Boers cannot be said to have come within the scope of the Peace Conference. The Boer war embraces more of the character of a rebellion than anything else. Great Britain held a loose sort of authority in the Transvaal, and it is against the exercise of this the Boers have rebelled. But more than the Boers have joined in it. Large numbers of the Dutch subjects of the Queen have joined the Boers, with the view of completely oxpolling Great Britain from South Africa, and consequently what Groat Britain is doing is practically suppressing a rebellion. That, of course, could not come under the scope of the Peace Conference, for though nations may mutually agree to desist from going to war with each other, still they could not agree to desist from suppressing- rebellion. It may therefore be said that there is not much connection between the present African war and the Peace Conference, but then what does the Emperor of Germany want <£9,000,000 to increase the navy for ? And what is this movement of Russian troops to the borders of India for ? All these make up a strong commentory on the Czar’s aspirations for peace. They are sufficient to throw doubt on his sincerity, and to arouse the suspicion that the conference was a trick with which he hoped to delude the Western Powers. The Czar can work secretly and quietly. In countries having representative institutions, the money must be voted by Parliament to enable preparations to be made, and the whole world knows of it. The Czar has no Parliament to consult. His will is law, and he can prepare for war whenever he likes. This gives him a great advantage over the other Powers. He can work in the dark while they must work in the light of a Parliamentary discussion and criticism. It is therefore as likely as not that the Peace Conference was a ruse on the part of the wily Russian to delude the Western Powers.

The next most famous event of the year was the second trial, second conviction, and ultimate release of Captain Dreyfus. Of all the disgraceful episodes in French history, this was the most disgraceful. The evidence makes it as clear as daylight that he was the victim of a foul conspiracy which was backed up by wholesale fraud, falsehood, and forgery amongst the highest military officers of the French Republic. The Dreyfus affair at one time threatened the republic with a civil war, if not international complications, and it was only in compliance with world-wide public opinion that the President exercised the prerogative of mercy and released Captain Dreyfus. A notable event of the year was the federation of the Australian Colonies, which is all but complete now. The conditions under which federation has been agreed upon, however, seem to be very undemocratic, and will in the near future be found to impede progress. A Legislative Council such as will be constituted under the federal system cannot fail to turn out most undemocratic, and the workers of Australia will find out that they have placed a millstone around their necks which will bar their way. Our advice to New Zealanders is to have nothing at all to do with it. Coming closer home still, the General Election in this colony resulted in the almost annihilation of the Opposition, and in practically handing Mr Seddon a carta blanche to govern the country as he thinks fit. This election was a most remarkable one. The Government had been in office for nine years, and of course was guilty of sins of omission and sins of commission. One of the greatest hardens a Government can carry on its shoulders is the weight ot‘ years. It cannot please, everybody ; it cannot do exactly as people wish, and the result is discontent. But the Seddon Government has done well for the country, and the people recognise it, arid hence their great popularity. They have raised this country out of the Slough of Despond on to the plane of high prosperity by the passing of splendid legislation, and the election was their reward. Another remarkable feature of the year was the enthusiastic spirit of patriotism awakened by the Boer War. The colonies have shown that they are at any moment ready to expend their blood and their treasure in defence of the empire, and have given to the world an object lesson as to the enormous resources of Great Britain. The New Year which is now ushered in promises to be a rich one. Prices are excellent, and|prosperity is general throughout the world. With these few remarks we wish pur readers “ A Harry New Year,”

CAPTAIN HAYIIUEST. TffE splendid ovation given to Captain Hay hurst on the occasion of his departure from Temuka en route for the battlefield served as a manifestation of the esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens, as well as an expression of appreciation of his valorous action in offering his services for so perilous an enterprise. To question his motives is unfair. All we know, and all anyone ought to seek' to know, is that he has made as great a sacrifice as man could make; that he has exchanged every luxury, every comfort, and everything that conduces to happiness for the hardships and privations of the battlefield. Here he was 'in beautiful New Zealand, in the middle of summer, in a beautiful home, surrounded by a loving wife and beautiful children, some of whom are approaching the threshold of manhood and womanhood; highly esteemed by his fellow citizens; having the command of sufficient wealth to secure for him the gratification of every desire; and all this he has left behind at the call of what he conceives to be his duty. -111*-’ " M

It is of no uss for us to try to hide from ourselves the fact that the performance of that duty involves terrible risks. Not only does he risk his life in the battlefield, but he also runs a risk in having to go through the terrible climate of South Africa. He has undertaken risks by sea and by land, he has made the greatest sacrifice a man could make, and we say without fear of contradiction that his conduct shows a spirit of chivalry worthy of all commendation. He is the first wealthy man who has thrown himself into the gulf, the first Australasian mayor to volunteer; he has conferred an honour on the town over whose municipal council he has presided, and is a credit to native-born New Zealanders. The corps of mounted rifles under his command is the youngest in New Zealand, and yet it has given to the New Zealand Contingent a captain, a lieutenant, and seven troopers. That, certainly, is very creditable, and South Canterbury has every right to be proud of itself in having men of such calibre to represent them. We very sincerely congratulate Captain Hayhurst, Lieutenant Findlay, and their men on their splendid action, and our dearest wish is that they will soon return crowned with honour and glory.