THE PUTARURU PRESS. Office – – – – Oxford Place 'Phone 23 – P.O. Box 44 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1926. IN SEASON.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 164, 23 December 1926, Page 4

THE PUTARURU PRESS. Office - - - - Oxford Place 'Phone 23 - P.O. Box 44 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1926. IN SEASON.

OLD customs carried on for centuries die hard, even when the climatic conditions of new lands to which they are transported may be quite unfavourable to their perpetuation. Thus the traditional Christmas fare abides with us, though the sweltering heat requires some antidote other than that provided for lands where the snow casts its chaste white mantle over all at the time of the anniversary of the Nativity. But though the plum pudding keeps its place in the menu even more steadfastly than does the old-fashioned Sunday dinner, there are other customs followed that are distinctly of New Zealand origin. Instead of crowding together within the confines of rooms, we hasten to the wilds of bush and open beaches, where the song of the tui, the cease-

less moan of the surf and the sparkling sands calls to us with irresistible appeal. There is health-giving laughter and fun and a frolic just the same, and jaded minds and tired limbs are refreshed and reinvigoratAs in the land of our fathers, family re-unions across wide spaces are the order of the period, and cherished affections are flushed once more so that though our ways be different from those of our forebears in some respects we lose nothing, beyond what may be characteristic of the times the world over, of the essential flavour of Christmas. Above all Christmas is a time of peace making; it is consecrated to the cause of Peace; it is really a Festival of Peace, and whatever may be our convictions upon matters religious, saint and sinner, sage and fool alike have throughout the ages testified to the indisputable assertion that the teachings of Christ are more pregnant with true peace messages than any other words ever spoken or written. Indeed, such a renowned and critical observer as H. G. Wells, in his outline of history tells us plainly that prior to the coming of Christianity there was cruelty, despair, suffering and despoti-sm reigning everywhere in the Old World, and that the teachings of Jesus have done more to uplift mankind and minister to social advancement than have the teachings of any other being before or since. The answer of the centuries and the multitude to the ancient query, “ Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?should make us more tolerant and broader in our views of men and things.

Individually and collectively it is good for us that there is a time in each year specially appropriate for the sinking of old differences and starting off upon happier relationships, and if by so doing we make our own lives and those of our fellow men more gracious and forbearing, then we shall all have gained inestimably in mind and spirit by the perpetuation of the sentiment which petuation of the sentiment which prompts us to wish one and all a MERRY CHRISTMAS.