CHRISTMASTIDE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 65, 26 December 1936, Page 5

CHRISTMASTIDE.

GOOD TRADE IN BRITAIN. EXCEPTIONALLY HEAVY TRAFFIC (United Press Association —Copyright.) LONDON, December 24. Apart from local fog, fair weather is forecast for the Christmas celebrations, which are on a larger scale than in any recent years, judging by the experiences of shopkeepers and others handling Christmas trade and traffic. In London yesterday 17,000,000 or 18,000,000 letters, winch is 4.,000,000 or 5,000,00 more than on the busiest day last Christmas, and 800,000 parcels were handled. Estimates by the Post Office authorities of the number of extra clearances necessary fell far short of the number actually required. While still more clearances were being hastily arranged, many pillar-boxes had to be sealed up and policemen were stationed beside others. Traffic on the railways has been exceptionally Jieavy. To-day’s rush of passengers necessitated a great increase in the normal train services.—British Official Wireless. “OLDER THAN CHRISTIANITY.” OPINION OF NAZI JOURNAL. LONDON, December 23. The Berlin correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says that the Storm Troops’ weekly organ demands that the German Christmas should! be freed from Jewish influences. It denies any connection between Christianity and Christmas, which is regarded as older than Christianity.

BETHLEHEM CEREMONIES.

BETHLEHEM, Dccembei 24. Because of the tension, Christian minorities in Arab villages decided not to participate in the Christmas ceremonies at Bethlehem.