King Country Chronicle Wednesday, Dec. 23rd, 1914. CHRISTMAS GREETINGS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 732, 23 December 1914, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Wednesday, Dec. 23rd, 1914. CHRISTMAS GREETINGS.

Never in the history of civilisation has Christmas been ushered in under conditions such as prevail at present; and the time-honoured wish of "A Merry Christmas" must eeera the keenest irony to the teeming millions of Europe With the foremost Chrietien nations in arms against each other the sentiments of "Peace on earth; goodwill to men" have apparently been forgotten. Mankind accepts the Divine inspiration with reservations suitable to surrounding conditions, and national sentiment has been utiliHed in the interests of the over-riding ambition of an arrogant oligarchy to plunge the christian world into war, and destroy the brotherhood which should be inspired by the sentiments breathed by the Redeemer of mankind long ages ago. It is helpful to believe that the outcome of the present situation will be a hardening of the feelingß of brotherhood among nationalities, and that the doctrine of peace and goodwill on earth wiJl ba spreud Infinitely more widely nnd with greater depth of meaning than ever before. We in New Zealand have ten thousand of our bravest ur.d best at the front, t.nd out Christmas greetings must be tempered by thoughts of them. Their Christmas will ba merry and cheerful, for they are helping in the cause of un Empire which has always spread the doctrine of liberty and goodwill. For the seeds of pence and goodwill can only ba nurtured in the soil of ] liberty, in whoso causo the Empire is now at war. Meanwhile let us celebrate our festive season in a manner befitting the occasion. Wo have confidence in the destiny of out nation, ar.d by preserving time-hon-oured traditions we are manifesting in the best possible manner our confidence in the Empire in the time of Htress. To our readers we offer the heartiest season's greetings and best possible wishes.