THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1921. PEACE AND BENEVOLENCE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4359, 23 December 1921, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1921. PEACE AND BENEVOLENCE.

Christmas comes , this year on a Sunday, the day being especially appropriate in view of the religious and benevolent principles so prominently associated with the Nativity. These aspects were treated so ably in a special article, “Christmas Message,” by the Rev. A. H. Collins, of New Plymouth, which appeared in the last issue of the “Gazette,” that a similar strain of writing on our part might seem like an attempt to embelish the lily. But it is appropriate to recall the humanitarian associations of Christmas, as evidenced in the life of Christian communities the world over. It is a particularly happy circumstance that at this period the foremost statesmen of the leading nations of the world, are deliberating at -Washington with a view to ushering in that reign of international amity which was a great part of the goal of the Prince of Peace, and upon Whose teachings all such efforts must be founded, for otherwise they are doomed to failure. A waiting world wishes the Washington Conference universal success.

Nationally speaking—and New Zealand, by her great war sacrifices, her contributions to commerce, science, and.. . literature, has won the status of nationhood —we as a people blessed with a genial climate are more disposed to go away to the sea beaches and the open countryside for our Christmas vacations than are the people of the United Kingdom, where the rigours of the climate at this period of the year dictate

indoor life. But the same sentiments favourable to family reunions and goodwill between man and man prevail. The “call of the wild,” the lure of the sea beaches and the forests, by no means diminish the feelings of peace and affection so appropriate to the day accepted as the anniversary of the birth of our Saviour. But the open-air life certainly conduces to the renewing of physical health, the freshening of the mental outlook, and the improvement of the moral and spiritual standards, although exceptions may easily lead one to a wrong conclusion on these vital matters. Christmas' and the "call of the wild” are by no means antagonistic factors. It is good to break away from the scenes of the hum-drum of everyday work, and to come back with minds and bodies refreshed for the New Year’s period of the battle of life.

Touching upon purely local life, it is unfortunate that Paeroa is losing somewhat through the inability of leading citizens to pull harmoniously together, but this jarring phase can well await treatment early in the New Year, when we shall have some candid comparisons to make. There has, however, in more than one instance been displayed a desire by public men to avoid wrangles and altercation in respect to certain disputed opinions, and it is to be. hoped that the necessity of combination in the interests of civic and individual welfare will be more fully appreciated in the near future. Regarding the relationships between ourselves and our readers and advertisers, we are happy to state that they are for the most part of/a very cordial description. Necessarily we have at times been obliged to be very outspoken, but we also have the satisfaction in our own minds of knowing that our intentions have consistently been to advance the interests of Paeroa and the surrounding district, 'with especial reference to the Hauraki Plains. To honest criticism, when all are given an opportunity of replying, no broadminded man objects, and the others do not matter. We propose to continue our present policy, and have no doubt that it is in the best interests of the district, and therefore to the advantage of the residents. Lastly, but by no means least, we are' sensible of the fact that there are many who will be wistful over the absence of faces that the Great War and other causes have removed from their family circles, but we also have the knowledge that Time, with his healing and softening influence, has mellowed and assuaged their griefs, and we can, therefore, in all sincerity, wish our everincreasing number of readers

A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS.