CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 59, 19 December 1945, Page 3

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

DOMINION PRESIDENT OF R.S.A. (P.A.) WELLINGTON, December 18. The Dominion president of the Returned Services’ Association, Mr B. J. Jacobs, has issued the following official Christmas message to all former servicemen:

“At last the hopes we expressed have been realised, and we are about to celebrate Christmas once again free from the grim shadow of war and its accompanying anxiety and sadness. On the eve of the festive season I. desire on behalf of the N.Z.R.S.A..to extend to all former servicemen ana to those still in the services the very best of wishes for the coming Christmas and for the New Year.

“We particularly remember men and women who are sick, mained, or disabled. Our thoughts fly also to comrades never to return, and to relatives who mourn their loss. “To us who remain there remains a challenge if we are to reap the full benefit of the sacrifices made. Oui answer to that challenge should be to make a solemn resolve that discharge from the forces does not signify the termination of our service, but that rather it marks our entry into a wider field of service our country.

“In the sure certainly that our association will continue its efforts in this direction. I convey my simple message to all, confidently expressing the hope that 1946 will usher in a long period of happy, peaceful prosperity, in the promotion and maintenance of which we, as a united body, shall have made a substantial contribution.”