CHRISTMAS DINNER AT THE FRONT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 89, 8 January 1918, Page 7

CHRISTMAS DINNER AT THE FRONT

PLENTIFUL SUPPLY OF GOOD CHEER ENTERTAINMENT FOR OFFICERS AND MEN (From Captain Malcolm Ross, Officiai New Zealand War Correspondent.) (By Cable.) January 2. The Christmas festivities at the front ended yesterday, when the troops holding the line on Chris' mas Day enjoyed their Christmas din', pr in peace and comparative comfort.;,, The weather has been wintry. The ground was covered with snow, and was then frozen hard after a partial thaw. One of the Rifles' bands visited headquarters and played * carols on Christmas morning. There was no lack of good things for Christmas dinners,- including plum pudding, and ©veil turkeys, six nundred of which had hcen imported from Southern France. The various messes were gay with decorations appropriate to the season. . . Sports, kinemas, variety entertainmerits, and pantomime provided entertainment for officers and men. . the pantomime, which is one of the best performances ever given at the tront, is still drawing record houses" of over 800 in a large marquee.' ■ Xlie costumes wore procured from London, and tlie scenery painted on the sp&t. It is difficult to got seats, and hundreds are nightly turned away. Except for some heavy enemy shelling, which on one occasion increased the normal casualties, the festive season, so far as the New Zealanders are concerned, passed without special incident.

THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE TO BE REORGANISED. London, January 6. The Sunday papers state that Mr. Lloyd George will shortly,undertake the ; reorganisation of the Diplomatic Service.—Renter. PREDICTED APPOINTMENTS. (Rec. January 8, 0.25 a.m.) London, January 7. The "Daily Chronicle's" Parliamentary correspondent predicts that _ the Marquis of Cre\vo will be appointed Ambassador at l'aTis, and Mr. Arthur Henderson Ambassador at Petrijgrad. Mr. Henderson is not likely to accept the appointment, owing to the Labour Party being at a critica l stage in ita evolution.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. JAPAN'S CO-OPERATION Mexico City, January fi. Baron Otiro, tho Japanese Ambassador, in a speech delivered here, said that if the enemy proposed a separate peace with Japan, no matter how advantageous it might bo, Japan would reject it. Japan was co-operating with the Allies to tho fullest extent. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reutcr. SWEDISH CABINET HERR BRANTING RESIGNS PORTFOLIO OF FINANCE. Stockholm, January 6. Ilcrr Branting, Leader of the Socialist Party, has resigned the portfolio of Finance, and tho Socialist deputy, Herr Tliorrson, will succecd him.—Renter.