NEW ZEALAND TROOPS

Otago Witness, Issue 3380, 25 December 1918, Page 16

NEW ZEALAND TROOPS

TO THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCES AND NURSES. WELLINGTON, December 20. Sir James Allen has forwarded the following message to the heada of the various churches throughout the dominion:— "I forward for your information the following copy of the Christmas message I have sent to members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force fend Army Nursing Service, and shall be glad of co-operating with your church in making it public, as on previous occasions:— With heartfelt thankfulness to Almighty God, wo send to you a message of peace and goodwill this Christmastide. It has been a long wait for the coming of dawn, but of its ultimate coming we were never in doubt. We look to all who have taken part in this struggle to ensure that the: coming day may be marred by no bitterness of spirit, so that the reconstruction of the world may be carried out in manner worthy of the sacrifices that have been made. "I hope your congregation will rejoice in the coming of the long-awaited peace, and that they will with thankful hearts again pray for the continuance of the Divine protection for our men, and their ultimate safe return to their homes. "Will you please let your local churches know."

GENERAL GODLEY'S REPLY. WELLINGTON, December 21. Sir James Allen has received a reply to his Christmas message to the New Zealand tioops, and had time permitted this would have been communicated direct to ministers of religion in order to be read on Christmas Day in conjunction with the New Zealand - message, but as this cannot be done direct th'o Minister requests that the following cable from General Godley be read in the churches, as it is a very happily-phrased answer to his Christmas message:— ■ '. i All ranks join with me in responding to your Christmas greeting. Our heart* are full of thankfulness to God that this year has witnessed the cessation of hostilities, and that the coming year wiU see us reunited with our loved ones in a world worthy of the brave men who have given their Jives to make it better. General Godley's New Zealand Christmas message to the soldiers was sent out whereever possible to returnnig men on troopships, and the following reply has reached Sir James Allen from a troopship passing through the Panama Canal with sick and wounded on the way to New Zealand:— The troops greatly the Christmas message from Home. Kindly convey greetings to all whom we hold most dear.—Lieutenant-colonel Oolqu- - houn Officer Commanding.