THE LONG HOLIDAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21377, 29 December 1932, Page 6

THE LONG HOLIDAY

The long holiday has opened doubly propitiously. Thousands of people set out in the rain on Friday and Saturday to camp in the places of their choice. Their prospects, on ordinary standards, were glum. In particular, family parties were discouraged. But they were travelling through country in which the pastures were aching for moisture. Few, probably, in the circumstances, felt any sense of thankfulness that the pastures were being renourished and that, in consequence, hundreds of thousands were being assured for export returns, which still control the economic situation. The period of rain was so short that the rejoicings of the farmers mingled with the jubilations of the holiday-makers—-the townsfolk whose services to the country have so richly earned the Christmas holiday respite. Thousands of families have sought havens of refuge for the tired and are being doubly refreshed through the knowledge that the rain which may have rendered wretched the first day or two of their camping has ensured a continuance of flush dairy production. Notwithstanding the straitened circumstances of the times, it is pleasing to observe that the holiday spirit is receiving such ample expression. The car and the tent, especially, have made possible healthful holidays for many who otherwise might have been tied • to the towns. Great good is being derived by the trek to the country and the recourse to the simple life. This kind of recreation becomes more than ever essential for the well-being of city dwellers. Parents recover their youth and are enabled to adjust their perspective and correct their sense of proportion, which under present stress of life is liable to be sadly at fault. The holiday distribution of the people not only is strengthening individuals for the struggle ahead, but also is creating the right mentality , for the task. Happy days is the message to .all on the sea, in the bush and on the broad highways.