XMAS MESSAGE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21900, 19 December 1945, Page 4

XMAS MESSAGE

N.Z.R.S.A. PRESIDENT

WIDER FIELD OF SERVICE (P A.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 19. The Dominion president of the Returned Services’ Association,_ Mr. B. J. Jacobs, has issued the following official Christmas message to all ex-service-men:—

“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 ex-servicemen and to those still in the services the very best of wishes for the coming Christmas and for the New Year.

“We particularly remember the men and women who are sick, maimed, or disabled. Our thoughts

fly also to our comrades never to return and to the relatives who mourn their loss

•To us who are left there still remains a challenge if we are to reap the full benefit of the sacrifices made. Our 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 the wider field of service to our country.

“In the sure certainty that our association will continue its efforts in this direction, I .convey my simple message to all, confidently expressing the hope that 194(3 will usher in a long period of happy, peaceful prosDeritv. in the promotion and maintenance of which wo as a united body shall have made a substantial contribution.’ 4 ’