THE Pukekohe and Waiuku Times PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1914. GREETINGS!

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 259, 24 December 1914, Page 2

THE Pukekohe and Waiuku Times PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1914.

GREETINGS!

"We nothing extenuate, nor net down aught in maHr.f.."

The usual festive celebrations inseparably linked with Christmas time will be shortly under observance. The manner of recognition differs somewhat in various countries by reason of climatic conditions, but in nearly all lands it is made a time of rejoicing With the season of goodwill always comes a train of bright memories. For th 6 young people it is a time notablo for the association of Santa Clans and the many gifts they longingly anticipate : and the rich delight of receiving and giving permeates far beyond tlia childhood stage. There are also the happy reunions of friends and families perhaps long separated, besides many other features of exceptional interest. Those who are familiar with the Christmas in the Home country will realise a marked contrast in the methods of observance t) what we experience in this part of the world. But the momentous event that has universal recognition, the birth of a Saviour at Bethlehem, receives heartfelt attention of an intensity that differs but little anywhere among the civilised people With all its old-time fragrance comes the message of " Peace and Goodwill " ; but the time for beating swords into ploughshares and spears | in'o pruning hooks is not yet within j Realisation. The great clash of arms j long projected by Prussian militar- | ism against British prestige is now having its full expression ; and the loss of human life is appalling. A tine sense of the meaning of

'• brotherhood among men " is therefore a distant hope. Meanwhile | at what should bo a time of gladness many homes are plunged into deepest sorrow, and to the bereaved we | feel uire this Dominion extends its I fullest measure of sympathy, i Happily, tho stiife has uot reached j our own shores, but many brave | men have fallen in preserving our i country from the grasp of the enemy ! and it is probable that many of New Zealand's sons will yet be numberod among the fallen in protecting other parts of our F.mpire. Very fortunately the effects of war have not had any serious influence upon our commercial and industrial pursuits, but some distress has undoubtedly been the outcome; and the Do- | minion has also had a touch of j sorrow by the Whito Island and I Huntly mine disasters. Tho pre- : sent time however, is a period in British history which promises a trying ordeal for cveiy patriotic subject, though Loyalty is bound to j triumph in tho end, and with a conj viclion that every Britisher will i render all possible assistance by I servii e or gifts, we tender the timehonoured wish of A Mekky Cm itkim as. i which we trust our lvaders will appreciate according to their circurn- ; stances.