New Zealand

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 17, 14 December 1916, Page 5

New Zealand

- ■ - ——— A CHRES7MAB MESSAGE. TO SOLDIERS AND SAILORS. Per Press Association. ■ Wellington, December 12. " The Minister of Defence has telegraphed -to'"ministers of religion the text of the- Christmas message which tie is sending to our soldiers and sailors on active service. All people in New Zealand are invited to cany out at 8 o'clock on Christmas morning what is indicated by the message, which reads as'follows: • To New Zealand's sons and daughters across the seas, Christ-

mas greetings from your country-

men, who are proud of your splendid achievements, and who are m continual union with you in spirit and thought. Make this union more real by joining with us, wherever you may be at 8 o'clock Christmas morning, at which hour every New Zealander has been invited to pray for your protection and continued success, for the restoration to health of all sick and wounded, for comfort to those who

suffer, and for your safe return

home after the work you have set yourselves to do has been accomplished, and a lasting and honorable peace has been won. MARRIED MEN AND MILITARY SERVICE. AN IMPORTANT STATEMENT. An appellant before the Military Service Board at Masterton on Tuesday morning said that if be could get :< manager to take over bis farm He would willingly go to the front. lie was afraid that even if lie got r, married man lie may be called up in months' time. "If married liien have to be called up in six months' time you need not worry about your dairy farm. Your dairy farm will not be worth tuppence if it comes to that." said Captain Walker. "If it is any information to you. it will be, roughly, Itwelve months before any married man jis called upon to go into camp." WOUNDED SOLDIERS' FUND. The hon. secretary of the Stratford Patriotic Committee reports as follows : £ s. d. Previously acknowledged 3119 6 G Sales, per Newton King, W. B. Smith £2 ss, Mrs Breeu £]. 10s, Mrs I Dvmond ss, sundries I -CI As 7d ••• 5-o 7 £Bl2-1 12 1