The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1927. THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1927. THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

At this time of the year thoughts are turned very much to holiday-making. Christmas is looked forward to and worked up for with tmdiminishod interest, and with the passing of the until,l day, holiday-making keronws supreme. There are those who lecture New Zealanders about their read mess to utilise holidays for pleasure and sport to the exclusion of trade and industry. New Zealanders, however, breathe a freer air than is possible in older and more congested lands. There is an individual freedom of action hero at the Antipodes, which arrivals from the other side of the world marvel at. It is something that into the national life there is creeping a spirit, of personal freedom which on the whole must tend to the national welfare. Life in the factory, the office, or the mine, without some period of letting up. creates an individual very different to the person who may have periods of liberty freeing him from the inside walls or the underground world, where close attention to duty is imperative. In this light, the holiday season comes as a welcome respite, and New Zealanders are not slow to seize it. The holidays in the Dominion seem to begin with the close of the school year. Droves of folk are immediately on the move. Then comes the call of Christinas. and those who may are on tho

journey homeward for family reunions. Alter Christmas comes the holiday period when all may take their relaxation, and scores and scores do. Steamers and railways are crowded for a period. The family or hired motor-car has to work overtime on long-tour journeys, and so New Zealanders take their holidays. The first impression is that it is good they are aide to do all this. The tripping and voyaging suggests an air of prosperity and well being that means that the world’s goods are not hoarded up by a few but divided among the many. The possibilities attached to all this means also a happier and more contented people. New Zealand is more or less remotely isolated till the aeroplane comes to annihilate space. Motor cars have helped towards bringing the two Islands more, and more together, and aeroplanes will in turn make their contribution in linking us closer to Australia and other world centres. But the present generation at least are happy in the means of inter-eommnnioa-tion in and about New Zealand, and they are certainly not neglecting the opportunities of travel. Great as the facilities are, this is a season when they are taxed to their fullest. All parts of the Dominion should be the better for this rubbing of shoulders, and should put the people in good heart for the coming year. And that is just the point. "When the holiday season is past, and the round of pleasures ended, the population will settle down as of yore to the duties which the coming year will demand, looking forward with hope and expectation in good spirits for another year of useful citizenship in the building up of a worthy nation in this Britain of the south So we may take it the holiday enjoyment is nof in vain. Tt is a necessary and useful relaxation, and later the country will reap the reward in the renewed activities of its sons and daughters, a happy and contented people, returning to their allotted task in life.