TIME OF TESTING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20128, 23 December 1939, Page 4

TIME OF TESTING

FIBRE OF NATION CHRISTMAS SPIRIT SHADOW OF CONFLICT HIGH PURPOSE URGED MR. HAMILTON'S ADVICE (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. “This is not a moment for dismay or despair though Christmas, our happiest and brightest festival of the year, is overshadowed by the armed conflict of the nations and we ourselves are at war." says the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Adam Hamilton in a Christmas message to the people. “I know that men and women throughout New Zealand will celebrate this Christmas with underlying seriousness and earnestness, because

of the world situation, but this is a moment of testing, and anxious thought it undoubtedly is, for high courage and high purpose. “At our Centennial Christmas, a test is being made of our country’s new nationhood. If ever there were sacrifices being made to try and overthrow tyrants and bullies, if ever sacrifices were being made for the emancipation of peace-loving peoples of the earth in all countries from the terrors brought upon them by dictators, /with their necessary support of militarism, persecution and general oppression, they are being made to-day, and they are worth making. “The task we have taken up will not be easy. It will be long. It will be terrible, but in the end we will come through' terror to triumph. Message To Youth “Boys and girls leaving school in this Centennial year should remember this, as they too, do not need to adopt any outlook of dismay or despair. There is still tfle opportunity everywhere and sacrifices that are made in the spirit of true service to our country in peace or war are those which ennoble and enricli the nation. “This celebration of 100 years merely provides an opportunity to contemplate for the moment the ladder up which we have climbed. It is a ladder in which every step has been shaped and is held in place to guide the. feet of the generations of new climbers toy the service and sacrifice of those by whom they have been preceded. “This would be my message to youth. Set your purpose high and, regardless of difficulties, work ceaselessly to achieve that purpose. I said last year that we in this country have reason to congratulate ourselves, reason to count our blessings. I also said that there is a crying need for the true spirit of Christmas to become the basis for relationship between men and between nations all over the world. Inspiration To People “I repeat those statements with even greater emphasis this year. When Christmas is in your hearts and minds, and is expressed by the joy and happiness of celebrations in your home, think well of the real spirit of Christmas. This must remain forever an inspiration to our people. “In that spirit I am certain lies the ultimate hope for any nation and its people. Carry on into the new year with all its difficulties and tragedies. “Do not be unnecessarily gloomy, nor despair. Remember we can look back with some measure of pride to the fact that our forefathers built worthily in this land and we and our .children will progress just as we have done in the past if our spirit is willing and our purpose high. “That is the spirit of giving rather than of receiving, of optimism rather than pessimism, of hope rather than despair. In this country loyalty and co-operation have built a magnificent tradition and these still must be our guiding lights.”