[Editor: This article, regarding the New Year, was published in The Shepparton Advertiser (Shepparton, Vic.), 8 January 1925.]
The New Year.
The year 1925 has been entered upon. Associated with its birth people in all parts experienced mingled feelings of hope and fear when meditating on the year’s prospects. What has the new year in store? That is a query which protrudes itself at the beginning of each year. All ask it, and many give serious consideration to it from both the individual and collective point of view.
Happily hope is the predominant sentiment. Were it otherwise the outlook would be anything but cheerful. Where hope holds sway obstacles in the path, no matter how large they loom viewed from the distance, diminish as they are approached until, when actually reached their dimensions become so insignificent that they are very easily negotiated.
On the other hand where fear takes possession of the individual or the community even imaginary difficulties have the disagreeable knack of multiplying and expanding. It may be affirmed that this is generally known — some might go so far as to assert it is realised to the full. The latest statement might be doubted. If all did realise to the full the truth of the assertion what cheerful place to reside in would be the centre where that was the experience. Such realisation would surely induce a general feeling of hope in the very highest degree. In such circumstances pessimism would be a quality unknown and optimism would triumph.
For this reason there is every justification for stressing the point and counselling the citizens of Shepparton and district to raise the standard of hope and keep it flying continuously. Of course associated with hope must be effort. Let the former be the incentive to the latter and no limit could be placed to ultimate attainment.
The experiences of the immediate past in so far as this part of the State is concerned are such as to provide a feeling of full faith in the future. A passing thought to the bountiful harvest in all avenues of primary industry represented in this quarter of Victoria and a present-day knowledge of good markets at very satisfactory prices must in themselves constitute a strong influence of encouragement.
True the newer settlers are meeting with the initial handicaps which beset all to a lesser or greater degree at this stage, but a sentiment prompted by hope which induces the expression (as the beginner remembers the success of his neighbor) “What others have done I can do also,” will do much to carry him over the early period of his career on the land.
For the younger orchardists the years ahead are full of hope. The Shepparton cannery goods, thanks to the operation of the true spirit of co-operation between the directorate, staff and suppliers, have deservedly earned a reputation in Australia and on the other side of the world which should sustain an ever-increasing market. With an expanding over-sea outlet, of which there appears to be every promise, there must be a corresponding advancement in the fruit industry of Shepparton, which is fortunate in possessing facilities for the production of prime fruit in practically unlimited quantities.
Not the least of the agencies which promote this is the fine system of irrigation, the methods of distribution being such as to serve a very considerable area. This is not restricted to the fruit areas. It is now being made available to blocks which are to be devoted to dairying, lucerne-growing and lamb raising and the advantages in periods of drought will be incalculable.
The outlook for the year in this part of the State is, on the whole, of a nature which is encouraging rather than depressing, and it is for the residents to do their part to make the most of the opportunities which present themselves.
Looking further afield it has to be admitted that stability does not obtain in certain directions. This observation applies to the political position of Victoria. How much this is to be regretted is, perhaps, not realised as it should be by the general body of electors, nor, for that matter, by those amongst the Parliamentarians — who can merely be designated Politicians as distinct from Statesmen — for the latter, it will readily admitted, are all too few.
Of recent times many politicians appear to have lost sight of the real needs of the State and have manoeuvred, so many affirm, with a view largely to gratify personal ambitions. Why is this so? Electors ask in vain. No answer of a satisfactory nature is forthcoming. Where is the remedy? Some will say with the electors. In a sense that is so. Still who will deny that the stratagems used by many politicians, and likewise by aspirants, are of a character calculated — well to bamboozle the voters. Until a means can be devised which will induce leading men of wide outlook and proved political probity to seek election it will be difficult to bring about that improvement which is needed in the interests of the general community.
The relations between the nations are not all that could be desired. Nevertheless there are influences at work which give hope of a better understanding being arrived at, but how far the year will witness progress in this direction it is difficult to prophesy. All will hope for the best.
Source:
The Shepparton Advertiser (Shepparton, Vic.), 8 January 1925, p. 8
[Editor: Changed “predominent” to “predominant”, “imaginery” to “imaginary”, “continuosly” to “continuously”, “promted” to “prompted”, “manourved” to “manoeuvred”, “likewise bu aspirants” to “likewise by aspirants”, “bamboozzle” to “bamboozle”.]
[Editor: The original text has been separated into paragraphs.]
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