WAR CHRISTMAS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 306, 26 December 1940, Page 4

WAR CHRISTMAS.

NEED FOR STRUGGLE.

PRIME MINISTER'S WISHES. Greetings and good wishes were broadi:i4( iu a Christ ma > mesi-age from the Prime Minister, the Kt. Hon. P. Frasor, yesterday. "For the second year we celebrate Chii.-tinas Day • under war conditions," said Mr. Fraeer. 'It is therefore with more than usual fervour that we join

in the customary wish for peace on earth and goodwill towards men. We know at this moment that there can be no general peace without justice, nor goodwill without charity and brotherly love: and we have already resolved, ail of us, to bring the world back to its peaceful state. The evils of war everywhere are making a savage mockery of the spirit of Christmas and the traditional joys of this feast day are sadly marred. Military Successes. "We are greatly cheered by the military successes achieved in the past few days, and we have taken them as a happy augury for better days ahead," the Prime Minister continued. "I would Jike to express ou behalf of the GovernIment and people of the Dominion deep Appreciation of the gallant and devoted eervices.of our soldiers and sailors and Airmen serving overseas and here in New Zealand, and to wish them every success. But, although families ere separated or affected.by other sorrows, all must try to carry on making the best of it and doing their duty cheerfully, hopefully and to the best of their ability. It is by carrying on with cheerful sp'irit and unflagging Efforts that success will ultimately come."

He added that we had only to contrast our own comparatively happy circumstances here in warmth end sunshin*, far removed from the theatres of war, with the conditions of our kinsfolk in the British Isles, in bomb-stric-ken towns, in the cold 'of winter, in hourly expectation of air raids, to count our blessings and be humbly grateful. Reward of Success. "The coming year will inevitably be a year of trial, but we are fully justified in believing that success will'reward our efforts and that by those efforts the world will be freed from the terrible evils of Nazi-ism and Fascism, which have threatened our lives and liberties, and our whole Christian civilisation," he concluded. "I know I express the sincere wish of everyone in hoping that the blessing* of peace will soon be restored to us. To all citizens I extend Christmas greetings and sincere wishes for their happiness and every good fortune during the coming year."