BEFOBE THE YEAR CLOSES.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1921, Page 1

BEFOBE THE YEAR CLOSES.

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS TO AGE (From N.Z. Welfare League). Before the end of 1920 »V "-rote ‘'Our ’Xnuis greeting to all canies with it our expressed hope that in the coming vear we may see still- more active interest in all questions ailectmg the ! general welfare.” It is with pleasure that we now record our opinion that our hope in that respect lias been largely iealiy.ed. This* ha* teen, a year of great trials, specially for the- dear old Mother Country, hut it has also icon one of wonderful activites in grapiilmg with the many serious problems of our age. At times it has seemed as il Great Britain was to be crushed, under the burdens of her tremendous economic, social and political difficulties vet .ever , the old lion, roused bv the fresh . call to action, has displayed a vigour., courage and resource that lias irgd the whole world of thinking men and women. From, a reading of events there ueie indications that special concentration was made upon Britain by the tones that are seeking Revolution on bolslievist lifjes but the sound common-sense, not onlv of the average citizen, hut ffirf"rent leaders of Trades Unionism .have proved equal to the task of dispelling much of the illusion and bringing the country to a saner conSS Of sound national policy. The financial .stress of the older lands as had its reflection on our Southern Isles so that we have been made to feet that life is more than a play ground and we, together with our ove.' seas, have the general inflation which ia some degree meant a false etandnid Kfiir our people are.setting about re-

aSSS we iiave no fear but St they will find means of recovery and bear' with fortitude whatever trials they find incidental thereto. Our lads who went forward in the great wai were,after all .but typical of the stock we,.all belong.to who growl often oier 2-ifles but resolutely face the greater trials with the laugh of nnslmkeable ™nfidence It had been, good to be Xe in year 1921. We have witnessed the great meeting of National Representatives at Washington for the purpose, if. .possible, to find some better war and, though the inspired malcontents may sneer it is indeed a no-

tory for the spirit that is seeking a practical expression of tho divine teachers formula “peace on earth, goodwill towards men.” Again tho earnest desire for the general welfare in Britain is in he seen tho marvellous unity of the great body of Unionist, Libera I and Labour politicians holding out the hand of goodwill to the Irish people. That the little great man, Lloyd George, may have found a basis of compromise that : will secure peace and unity is tho hope of intelligent humanity. Here: in our little home, New Zealand. the activities for welfare are many. That these find good encouragement is due to the l’ress ol pur Dominion, which some of tho best judges place in the forefront of English speaking journalism for liberality and its concern for the public interest, ft hap hern pleasant to note the activity of private citizens in all our centres in employing the unfortunate unemployed. Such action is “twice blest, it blesseth him who gives and him who takes.” Another year is added to the life of our Welfare League. In it we have found much useful work to do, and tho close finds our organisation stronger than ever. Our thanks are given to the Old friends and the new, the public men and women who have assisted us to the Press its liberality without regard to party.

To our fellow citizens as a whole we wish a Merry ’Xmas and a good New Vear. With the flag of our liberty loving; British emblem over us all may we go on seeking an ever increased enchancement of human welfare making life fuller and brighter for all.