CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM GOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION LEADERS

Wanganui Chronicle, 26 December 1950, Page 4

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM GOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION LEADERS

--Mr. Holland

WELLINGTON, Last Night (PA).— “A year ago today I had the pleasure and the honour of giving my first Christmas message as Prime Minister to the people of my country,” said Mr. Holland in his Christmas message. “Today, when we are all gathered in our homes with our families to celebrate Christmas again, I wish you the joys of this season, and I thank you all for the help you have given me in my first year of office. “For us all Christmas is a family occasion and the family is the key stone of our whole way of life. It is quite right that we should be happy today and try to spread this happiness around us.

“May I add, without striking a single discordant note, that Christmas is not only a time for personal and family enjoyment. At Christmas we should consider the interests, welfare and happiness of others. Especially should we try to avoid any action that may militate against that happiness.

“But I think we should all remember that Christmas is not only a time for merriment —it is also a time when we should reflect on that essential message that has echoed through the ages—‘Peace on earth, goodwill towards men. ’ Now possibly more than ever in the past the world needs to follow the teachings of Him whose birth we celebrate today. Lasting peace will come only when goodwill is established in the hearts of men everywhere. FUTURE UNCERTAIN

“It may seem strange to talk of peace on earth at a time when the nations of the world are facing a future that is misty with uncertain fears and anxieties. But the fact that Christmas is still recognised as a universal festival gives solid ground for the belief that—“ The wrong shall fail, the right prevail. "Tomorrow, aler spending this day with my own family, I shall be flying to London—to the heart of our great Commonwealth and Empire—where ail the Prime Ministers of our family of nations will meet to discuss the tremendous Issues that face us today. Because of the thoughts brought vividly to my mind by this Christmas season, I am more conscious than ever of the big responsibilities of my mission. But I shall take with me the encouragement of your good wishes and prayers on what I feel is a Christian mission most appropriate to this sacred season.

“I am grateful for the fact that in my work with the councils of ths Commonwealth I shall be building on the sure foundations laid by previous Prime Ministers of New Zealand. In all our international dealings we can justly claim to belong to a Christian nation, and in that lies our strength. K-FORCE REMEMBERED.

“And now let us at this time give special thought to things very personal to our own community. Let us remember those fine young New Zealanders who have gene to fight the battle of United Nations for freedom and justice. Let us pause in the -midst of our rejoicings to think of them today and to wish them a safe and speedy return to their homeland and their families.

“Let us remember, too, those who are laid low in llness or grief, those who are lonely and have no one with whom to share the joys of this day, and let us try to make their lot easier. “Then again, celebrating Christmas with us this year are new settlers not only from Britain, but from the countries of Europe, and I wish them joy in this, their first Christmas in New Zealand. "As we enjoy the conviviality of this day let us all remember that we are all one family under God, not just in this country or in the Commonwealth, but in all the nations of the

- - Mr. Nash

WELLINGTON, Last Night (PA).— The Acting-Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Nash, said: “Just a short year ago my friend and colleague of many years, Peter Fraser, concluded a Christmas message to you with the words 'God bless us every one,’ from Dickens’ ‘Christmas Carol,’ and tonight I am sure that you would wish me to say ‘God bless him’ too. “It has fallen to my lot to take his place tonight because he is no longer with us, but is enjoying that peace and rest which come at the end ot every good life.

MESSAGE OF PEACE "Christmas Day, the day we celebrate the birth of Christ, brought joy to the world, and since then every year this season of Yuletide the Christian spirit breathes a message ot peace on earth and goodwill to all men. As Mr. Fraser said to you last year, ‘lt tells us that these blessings of peace and goodwill can be ours it we truly serve God by loving our fellowman.* “Sadly in the midst of this season of goodwill we must look to the north —to the hungry people at the top ot the Pacific—where again there is war. The battle against aggression there has led some of our finest young men rto enter the field in answer to the call of the United Nations. “My first thoughts at this season go to the mothers, wives and sweethearts of these men, and to them I express the sincere hope that their mission will be a speedy and successful one, with the least possible loss or injury to them. These young men have accepted the responsibility which belongs to all New Zeala/lers. “WE WANT NOT,” "In this little country—blessed a thousand times by God—we want not. In the countries of Asia millions live in dire want every day and there can be no true Christian peace until they are provided with the necessities of life, Each one of us has a responsibility here—to work to produce those things which will enable these poor people to live tn reasonable comfort. In New Zealand, at a time of great prosperity .there is a great contrast. “While we count our material blessings, let us not forget those less fortunate. For many of them there is no happy family re-union and some may have no Christmas gifts from" loving hands. I refer to some of the sick, whether in hospital or at home, and to the aged who have not homes of their own. To them all I send a special message, trusting that God’s loving kindness will be showered on them this Christmas Day. “For the children this is a day of days and the hearts of us who are older will be gladdened by the joy they display. We can look back an our own earlier days and derive pleasure fropi these happy memories. "To' everyone I send greetings and the hope that all will snare in the good things ot life, and above all in the choicest blessings that the message of the Christ-child brought to the world. Mr Nath eoncludued: “Let us be thankful that God has thrown our way in pleasant places and let us show our thanks by sharing of the good things, good thoughts, good food, good homes and abundant blessings to all, not for ourselves aione, but for all those to whom the message of Christmas shall go.

earth. This is the day for counting our blessings and for spreading wellbeing about us. If only we can carry that spirit with us into 1951, the future will be brighter.

"To one and all—a Merry Christ* mas and a Happy New Year,” MrHolland concluded.