CHRISTMAS MESSAGES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 76, 22 December 1917, Page 11

CHRISTMAS MESSAGES

GREETINGS TO THE SOLDIERS

THE DEFENCE MINISTER'S CABLEGRAM

The Minister of Defence (the Hon. Sir James Allen) sent a Christmas messago to the mombe.rs of tho New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. The messago was forwarded through the following officers: —General Godlcy, for distribution in France; General Riohardson, for the New Zealand troops in England; General Chaytor, for the troops in Egypt and Palestine; to tho 'Administrator, of Samoa, and to tho New Zealand soldiers serving in Mesopotamia. Tho messago is to he communicated, as far as possible, to hospital ships and to all other places where Now Zealanders are serving. Copies aro to bo forwarded to tho various church . organisations of the Dominion, asking for their assistance to bring the message to the notice of the publio, ill order that as many people as possible may join in prayer at 8 o'clock on Christmas morning. Tho messago is as under: — "Greetings to all members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and Army Nursing' Service. "The time has come for another Christmas message to go forth from Now Zoaland to those who aro upholding her honour on land and sea. Again we ask you to join with us at 8 o'clock on Christmas morning in prayer for protection and continued success. Heavy as the burden has been, and heavy as it yet may bo, we reassert at this Christmas time our unshaken faitn in the righteousness of cur cause and your.ability, under God, to do your country's- part to vindicatp that cause. It is .therefore with a stout heart and an undimmed pride that we bid you be of good cheer, trusting that next Christmas once moro the Divine message may ring , out over the, world —'Peace cn earth; good will towards men.' "(Sgd.) J. ALLEN, "Minister of Defence."

A REPLY FROM FRANCE . GENERAL GODLEY'S THANKS. o,a behalf of the Now Zealand troops in i'*rance General Godley sent the folloiy; Jig reply:— "Your inspiring message lias < Been communicated to all New Zealand troops in France and England, and I wish to thank you on their hehalf. Our thoughts will be csj iecially with you at 8 o'clock on 'CSiristmas morning. During the past year the affection and pride wijih which New Zealanders regard tlwir native land has stimulated the m to do her credit, whether se.c ving on the historic battleground of Flanders or in the hallowed .approach to the Holy City. In the figjht for tlio freedom of nations an il the continuance of democratic id sals no soldiers have done better service for King and country than th by. They have been _ deeply to pched by the thoughtful kindness .-ol: the people of New Zealand, who hrtve maintained ail unfailing supply of gifts in kind and money, an d the continued stream- of reinfoivemeuts is an earnest that those at' home will give them support till I the end. We trust that those wh p have lost their dearest and best may be sustained, in their sorro\ ir. by thoughts of the valour and un complaining endurance of those whio for a glorious and righteous cause have laid down their lives. —(Sgd.) Godley."

• " FROM PALESTINE Maja-r-General E. W. C. Chaytor lepliod— "■All New Zealanders here deeply appreciate your Christmas message from the people of New Zealand, which helps us to face the coming ye:ir with renewed courage. We will join with you on Christmas morning in prayer that God will crown our oause with success before another Christmas comes — (Sgjil.)' Chaytor."

GREETING TO SOLDIERS FROM COMRADES IN ENGLAND. The following cablegram lias been received by the Minister of Defence and published, in orders at the military camps in New Zealand:— "From New Zealand troops in England to our. comrades in New Zealand : Christmas greetings on this fourth, and we hope the last, Christmas of the war. We all hope

to join you before next Christmas after a victorious termination of the campaign. We tliink not only of you and our comrades in the field, but of our late comrades, the real heroes of the war, who havo laid down their lives for us and our glorious Empire* of their bereaved relatives, who are burying their sorrow and shouldering their burdens without murmuring because of the knowledge that their loved ones died for a righteous cause."