WARM GREETINGS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27273, 27 December 1949, Page 4

WARM GREETINGS

POLITICAL LEADERS THE CHRISTIAN SPIRIT PA WELLINGTON, Dec 26. Warm greetings for a happy and joyous Christmas were broadcast to the people of New Zealand on Christmas Day by the Prime Minister, Mr Holland, and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Fraser. Each political leader extended special greetings to the sick with sincere wishes for their speedy recovery and restoration to good health. Mr Holland said Christmas symbolised the Christian spirit of peace on earth and goodwill among men. Mr Fraser said that without the Christian beaconlight of goodwill the future would indeed be one of dark despair. “As you may imagine, this is to me something more than just a happy Christmas—it is a momentous Christmas for it is my first in this new and responsible position which I now hold, ’ Mr Holland said. “During these past full and eventful days of December, my family and I have been the recipients of kindness that has been quite overwhelming and I cannot say how grateful we are. The many messages of goodwill from all parts of New Zealand have given me much encouragement and I am able to face Ihe future with greater confidence ana optimism. Happy Land

“ We are realy very fortunate here in New Zealand removed, as we are, so far from the world’s trouble centres and with a genial climate and a high standard of living. We have no extremes of climate, of wealth and poverty or of class distinction. Our people are kindly and industrious with a great capacity for enjoying life. Today, we are fortunate in being able to enjoy Christmas in these familiar, peaceful surroundings. “ Christmas symbolises the Christian spirit of peace on earth and goodwill among men. It draws people together in bonds of friendship and affection and emphasises the place in our lives of home—the place where the welcome sign is ever over the doorway, the place that is the foundation of our national life and personal happiness, the place where at Christmas time we forgather in happy family reunions. While we gather in our own homes, let us think also of another place we sometimes and with warm affection call Home. Let us remember our kinsfolk in Britain to whom we, and, indeed, the world in general, owe so much. Let us remember, too, that we are members of a great Empire family to which we are proud and privileged to belong and let us do our part to ensure that the bonds of. love and loyalty which bind the British people together remain strong and enduring. “ I think to-day that we should specially remember those who may be laid aside with sickness in their homes, in hospitals or elsewhere,” Mr Holland said. “May they soon enjoy a speedy recovery and relief. The older people, too, who have done so much for our country, will be in ;our thoughts today. To all the people of New Zealand I would say this: Let us go forward together, hopefully and confidently, expectantly and cheerfully, drawing inspiration from this occasion and from the life of Him whose birthday we, in common with other Christian peoples throughout the world, celebrate today. Let us be generous, kind and considerate to other people and we shall all be much richer in ourselves. Happiness is infectious—let us spread it everywhere. I wish all of you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. A Great Truth “The Christmas season each year speaks to us of peace on earth and goodwill toward men,” said Mr Fraser in his Christmas message. “It tells us that these great blessings can be ours if we truly serve God by loving our fellow men. This great truth was given us with the advent of the first Christmas, nearly 2000 years ago. Each year we celebrate the anniversary of that event. It refreshes us with hope and faith, and inspires us to strive more earnestly to build a Jerusalem in this green and pleasant land. Without this Christian beacon-light of goodwill the future would indeed be. one of dark despair. Hatred, mistrust, suspicion and misunderstanding inevitably breed strife. This is happening in many parts of the world today, and it is being made worse by doctrines whose very existence depends on hatred and misery. Peace is menaced by implacable, unyielding, totalitarian bigotry, which insists on strife as the inevitable way to be followed. “We must realise how solemn the message of Christmas is and how great is our responsibility to defend its pure light against the evil forces which threaten to extinguish it. The doctrine of love for our fellow men has given us treasures of spirit, appreciation of the worth of the individual and his right to freedom and security in return for service; it has given us a mission to bring kindness to others and to give joy and happiness. These are the gifts of Christmas. Let us cherish them.

“I send a special message of greeting to those who are sick in hospital or at home, and I know that the goodwill and kindness which will surround them today will bring good cheer and promote the restoration of health. This is a day for the children, and our hearts will be made glad as we see their joy expressed. Old people will look back with pleasure on many ’episodes of happiness in earlier Christmases, and this will add to the pleasure of today. To everyone I give my warmest greetings for a happy and joyous Christmas.”