MAYOR’S MESSAGE TO TIMARU

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 23083, 23 December 1944, Page 4

MAYOR’S MESSAGE TO TIMARU

“The annual celebration at Christmas repeats the call lor good will and the spiritual ideals, such as Christmas symbolises and articulates,” states the Mayor of Timaru (Mr A. E. S. Hanan? in a Christmas message to the people of Timaru. “We are mainly indebted to what Christmas embodies and dictates as represented by practical kindness and deeds of personal service. From Christian principles have sprung these philanthropic, altruistic and benevolent services, which lift people to a high plane of thought and give expression to the motto -not for self but for service.’ It is by invoking Christian principles and from an awakened conscience that solid stepping stones will be laid leading to the portals of a stable world peace. “Profound sorrow is felt by all for departed friends and comrades, who proved their loyalty to service in their lives and sealed it with their deaths.

"We pray for the safety of our servicemen, for our friends in hospital and homes, wherever they may be —sick in mind and suffering from physical pain. We pray that the painful sufferings, which many are bravely enduring may soon cease, and their lives be made brighter with restored health. The magnificent heroic spirit of self-sacri-fice demonstrated bv the men in the Fighting Forces will add proud pages to history and give great inspiration to all of us to strive to attain those assets that are great in human progress. The sacred ideals of freedom and justice of humanity and civilisation 'must be continued at whatever cost on the home fronts, otherwise our soldiers will have died in vain fighting to uphold our glorious heritage."