CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 75, 23 December 1918, Page 4

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

FROM Tffi! GOVERNOR-GENERAL TO THE TROOPS. • The Governor-General (Lord Liverpool) sent the following Christmas message to the member's of the military forces in New Zealand:—

"Lady Liverpool and myself desire to send to all ranlts of the Array in NewZealand our best, wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

"It is • splendid to think that at this season of the year we can rejoice that the-work which the Empire set herself to accomplish has nearly been achieved, owing tb the unselfish heroism of our sailors on the sea and our soldiers in the field, and also to those who, while not permitted to leave the Dominion, have worked'so steadfastly to ensure Hint no partV the machinery, required for our armies should be lacking. "To tho sick and wounded amongst us, Lady Liverpool and myself desire to send our best congratulations, now- that they are once more among their Kith nnd kin, and we pray that they may. qnickly.be restored to health and strength. "To all, we wish every happiness in the years to come!" SIR JAMES ALLEN'S MESSAGE. Sir James All"n, Acting-Prime Minister, has received a reply to the Christmas message he pent to the Not Zealand troops on behalf of the people of the Dominion. General Sir Alexander Godley cables as follows:— <, "All ranks join with me in responding to your Christmas greeting. Our hearts are full of .thankfuln?ss to. God that this y-iar has -witnessed a cessation of hostilities, and that the coming year will see us re-united with our loved ones in a world worthy of the brave men who have given their lives to make it better.— (Spd.) Godley." New Zealand's Christmas message to its eoldiers was sent out, wherever possible, to the returning men on troopships, and' a reply has reached Sir Jame3 Allen from a troopship passing through the Panama Canal with sick and wounded on the way to New Zealand:— "The troops greatly anpreciate Christmas message from home. Kindly convey greetings to all whom we hold most dear.— Lieutenant-Colonel Colquhoun, Officer Commanding." At Sir James Allen's suggestion, the message from General Godley was read yesterday in many of the New Zealand churches.

The manager of the local JRetumed .Soldiers' Club has received a letter from the Assistant Military Secretary conveying the season's greetings from tno General Officer Commanding N.Z. Military Forces, and Headquarters Staff, to members of the club. The communication added that Major-General Sir Alfred Robin deeply appreciated the \ery excellent work the club, had done sine© its inception, and expressed the hope that it would long enjoy its present popularity.