The Waipa Post. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1914. CHRISTMAS—GOODWILL TO ALL.

Waipa Post, Volume VIII, Issue 377, 22 December 1914, Page 2

The Waipa Post. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1914. CHRISTMAS—GOODWILL TO ALL.

Once again the Yuletide season is at hand, and with it come wishes of peace and goodwill towards all men. Christmas, the greatest of the many great festivals of the Christian year, is a time when all mankind should turn from the darker side of life, with its trials and troubles, to look, even if only for a time, upon the brighter side, and to forget the things which discourage and worry, and to call to mind those which bring good cheer. Would that Christmas this year could be lived as it should be by every one of our compatriots and our allies, but that is well-nigh impossible. To-day, with thoughts of the past flooding fast upon them there will be many whose Christmas will be a sorry one. In the very heart of , the festive season, war, the greatest in the history of nations, is being waged, and bringing in its train desolation and misery. Millions of homes homes that but a few months ago were bright and prosperous, and where cheery voices bespoke a Merry Christmas—are shattered, and grim indeed is the oft repeated wish which gaily passes around at this festive season. It would be impossible for the people of Britain or her allies to let Christmas pass by without a thought of those who, at their Empire’s call, are bearing arms at a time when peace should reign, and good fellowship extend from man toman. Fortunate as we may be in so little feeling the effects of war, we in New Zealand will pause to think of those who, for the commonweal, are making such tremendous sacrifices, and whose Christmas is being spent under the most sordid conditions. Yet the sons of our nation, in whatever circumstances they may be placed, will rightly live in the knowledge that every good wish goes out to them; their Christmas will be doubly happy then in the knowledge of the sacrifices they make and in the service they render to their Empire. At this season everyday cares and worries should be forgotten, but in affairs municipal Te Awamutu citizens are called upon, right on the eve of Christmas, to participate in the steps for the advance of the town. To-day the poll to determine the incorporation of the Borough of Te Awamutu is taking place. Twelve months ago to-day ratepayers at the poll gave their verdict on the proposal to introduce the system of rating on unimproved values of land, and also upon a proposal to instal and equip a municipally-owned and controlled electric lighting and power system. To-day’s poll does not call for the same thought or worry as did the polls taken twelve months ago, so that in municipal matters Christmas may pass with brief thought of civic affairs. The electors to-day will determine a straight-out issue of prosperity and advancement ; we do not question what the decision will be, our one great hope is that the expression in favour of the forward movement will be a unanimous one. As good citizens—and good citizenship demands a concern in all things for the public good—Te Awamutu residents can ill afford to enter into this festive season until they have exercised a wise judgement in the public proposal now before them. When they have done this we hope that every townsman will, in timehonoured manner, enjoy a right Merry Christmas, and especially so in the knowledge that the demands of good citizenship have been amply fulfilled. To our readers, one and all, we extend our heartiest of good wishes. May this season break down differences that exist, so that for all it may be a Merry Christmas in all reality.