The Daily News. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1918. PEACE AND GOODWILL.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 December 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1918. PEACE AND GOODWILL.

The observance of Christmas for the past four years has been shorn of its chief significance by reason of the war, for it was impossible, while that terrible struggle was proceeding, for people to direct, their thoughts into the channel so directly connected with peace and goodwill. The clash of armed forces has now been stilled, let us hope, for ever, so that the Christmas of 1918 should under ordinary circumstances have been one of great happiness and rejoicing throughout the civilsed world. The signing of the armistice stirred the people of the belligerent nations to great enthusiasm and attuned their hearts to tumultuous joy and gladness, but in the midst of this Outpouring of pent' up feeling a dark cloud gathered that speedily damped all ardor. The enemy that walketh in darkness was in our midst and a virulent epidemic of influenza spread from country to country, taking an enormous toll of life and causing an infinity of suffering. This dire visitation coming at the close of the war, with its lengthy roll of victims, has been doubly hard to hear, but it had to be faced and overcome, and the same indomitable spirit which won through on the battlefields of Europe has been successful in defeating the stealthy inroads of disease, until in Taranaki and most other parts of the Dominion there are now only l'emnants of its attacks, though death has desolated many homes, and sorrow instead of happiness must inevitably be experienced by a large number of the community this Christmas. So great, however, is the capacity of the British race to endure trials of all descriptions that even under such great afflictions as the people have passed through the associations of the season will be so strong that they will enter into them with Spartan-like heroism, in view of the feeling of intense thankfulness that is manifest over the cessation of hostilities. The peace, that has now, we trust, come to the world is to be of no transient character, but an end to war—a great and glorious peace worthy of the colossal sacrifices that have been made; a peace that will inaugurate a new era of relationship between the nations: that will give freedom to the oppressed, and enable all peoples to obtain justice; a humanising peace that should be worthy of the twentieth century of Christianity and its founder, the festival of whose nativity is being kept at this season. That is one greatreason why all hearts should beat in unison now, rejoicing in the prospects of the future, and not counting the cost. Another reason, equally compelling, is that at no time in the world's history has there been a grander exhibition of goodwill than during .the great tension which existed during the war and more recently in fighting the epidemic. These two great visitations have brought ont all that was high and noble in the people. No sacrifice was too great, personal services were willingly given, money fully contributed, no effort spared, even the young doing what lay in their power to help in the good work. At this season it is well to call to mind the outpouring of goodwill iu the! days of unprecedented stress, and'

the practical' demonstratioa <j£ thetrue Christmas spirit—an altruism that renders the giver happier than the receiver. Thousands of New Zealand citizens are keenly ■awaiting the return oi their kinsfolk from the war zones, and that, too, should be a factor in making the present Christmas memorably joyful in view of future happy reunions. A great world task has been accomplished in all but the (viping stone, and the knowledge of the blessings that must ensure should illuminate all hearts, as well as inspire a truer conception of goodwill among men. Moreover, we in this Dominion have special cause for thankfulness by reason of the material properly enjoyed while the Motherland and other countries have been suffering privations of considerable severity. Christmas in New Zealand this year can and should be, notwithstanding our recent visitation, a time of happiness, peace and goodwill. It is the future upon which our eyes, should be fixed, and that isbright with promise for all sections of the community, and we sincerely offer to the residents of Taranaki our heartiest wishes that they may mark the dawning of a new era for humanity by enjoying a happy Christmas.