CHRISTMAS IN RUSSIA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 29 December 1924, Page 5

CHRISTMAS IN RUSSIA.

-—; -<? VODKA FLOWS FREELY. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT MOSCOW, Dec. 26. Although the Soviet does not recognise Christmas, all official and commercial life in Russia ceased for the holiday. Vodka flowed freely for the first time since the revolution, the Government, having found prohibition unworkable and unprofitable. . Good things were available in the homes of the well-to-do, but millions of other households had empty cupboards, fireless stoves and cheerlessness. Legions of others were without homes and were forced to seek charity. But if the material side of Christmas was marked by want, the spiritual side was much in evidence. The greater part of the population went eagerly to church. Villages wilt celebrate the holiday on January 1 in accordance with the old Julian calendar. Lenin’s tomb was the object of pilgrimages by many people. ' IN EUROPE. LONDON, Dec. 27. A surprising feature of the Christmas holidays was the sunny, almost springlike weather, the majority of people revelling in outdoor sports. It is also mild on the Continent. Messages from Geneva state that hordes of Alpine tourists were disappointed to find grass and flowers instead of snow. t The Royal Christmas party at Sandringham included the King and Queen, the Queen Mother, the King and Queen of Norway, the Prince of Wales, Prince Henry and Prince George