MOMENTOUS YEAR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 24 December 1945, Page 4

MOMENTOUS YEAR

TIME FOR THANKS AND REJOICING MR HOLLAND'S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE APPEAL FOR NATIONAL UNITY Wellington, This Day. “On the threshold of another year. New Zealand can look forward to the future with complete confidence,” said Mr S. G. Holland, Leade - of the Opposition, in his Christmas message issued to-day. "Provided we realise that our whole economy depends on our production in every field of activity, and that what we distribute depends entirely on what we produce, then the future of this country is bright inde< .1. ‘The past year has been a momentous one, and now, for the first time in seven years, the Christmas holiday period is unclouded by war. Many families have already been re-united and those with loved ones still overseas have the reassuring knowledge that there will be no more casualty lists. But we must not forget that many will never return. Those whose sacrifices contributed to victory should have a special place in our hearts. MACHINERY OF PRODUCTION “Wo are fortunate that our country was not touched by enemy action. Our homes, farms, and factories are intact. The machinery of production is there. All we have to do is to use it to full advantage. The future is what we make it. “Social services and living standards depend upon what we ourselves make and produce, and there can be no magic formulas to give a lasting assurance of higher living standards unless we are prepared to work for them. New Zealand’s prosperity in the past has been founded on the energy and capacity for work of the people. We must safeguard those attributes by seeing that there is a fair reward and an assurance of employment for those whose effort, make it possible for the community to maintain its living standards and social services. At the same time, proper encouragement must be given to those who, by providing employment, ensure the livelihoods of others. “One important thing we should remember is that, irrespective of differences in politics, religion, and other personal beliefs, we are one nation under the British flag, proud of our country and its history, and most of us, I know, are very proud indeed of our British inheritance. I believe we can have our political differences, and still stand shoulder to shoulder as New Zealanders. The state of the world today is a lesson to us in the folly of disunity and intolerance. I hope and believe that we shall be able to march forward in friendship, whatever political changes the coming years may bring forth. “May I conclude by extending Christmas greetings and good wishes for the comint year? We have gone through troublous times and survived a tremendous challenge to our way of life. Therefore this is, above all, a time of thankfulness and rejoicing. We can make merry this Christmas with hearts.”