The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1919. CHRISTMAS REFLECTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 December 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1919. CHRISTMAS REFLECTIONS.

"Peace on earth, and goodwill to men." For nearly tvo thousand years this sublime message has been an inspiration to the of all countries and all creeds. It is the prime factor in civilisation, and appeals equally to potentates and paupers. As yet, however, a glorious ideal, yet slowly, though surely, becoming a reality. Admitting that wars and ill-will are by no means at an end, the outlook, though still veiled by the mists of strife, shows gleams of promise for brighter and better conditions in the future. Not without good reason has Christmastide always been associated with good will, and though the happenings of each year may have been adverse to happiness, yet with the advent of Christmas, gloom and sorrow give way to gladness and hope. Even those who do not accept "the greatest good of the greatest number" as an absolute rule, will yet admit that we should all endeavor to contribute, as far as we may, to the happiness of our fellow crea-»j tures. If this excellent principle ( were gradually adopted the result would be the attainment of peace and happiness throughout the J world. There is a certain art in' keeping ourselves happy, yet as a nation the British are said to take their pleasures sadly. Life has to j be measured by thought and action, and such as are the units so will be the nation. No Government, however gifted, can ensure for the people the true spirit of Christmas, but it is the duty of every Government to promote peace and goodwill by making the conditions of life so favorable that strife will cease and the general happiness of the community be ensured. "We have much to-be thankful for in New Zealand, especially in the direction of prosperity, yet there is far too much selfishness, and too little regard by a section of the people for the welfare of the others. In taking this course they miss the real essence of life by magnifying their troubles and wilfully refusing to recognise that they are defeating their own ends by inflicting injury on others instead of doing their best for the eomnjon weal. The words of Dante in t}iis connection are well worthy of note:

Whoe'er deprives himself of life and light, In reckless lavishment his talent wastes, And sorrows then when he should dwell in joyAt the root ox all this "unrest is discontent, the outcome of selfish desires, the very antithesis of the Christmas spirit. If we avoid sympathy and wrap ourselves round in a cold chain armor of selfishness, we exclude ourselves from many of the greatest and purest joys of life. Few of us appreciate the number of our everyday blessings, but at Christmastide we are awakened to clearer vision of our duty to those around us, and find real pleasure in promoting the happiness of others. There are many who think we have fallen on an age in the world when life is especially difficult and anxious, and the struggle for existence keener than ever. That is a greater reason why everyone should be more helpful in the general scheme of national welfare. That, in effect, is the substance of the lesson to be derived from the observance of the Christmas festival. TheDominionhasjust passed through a strenuous electoral contest, and after this storm the peace of Christmas has come, and with it the hope that the prosperity the Dominion is_ enjoying may be set on a firm basis by wise legislation and the settlement of industrial strife. At this time last year the war shadow was still so near that its influence and its sad memories militated against the full enjoyment of the season of peace; To-day we can look back at the troubles of the past and read many of the lessons they convey, but, better still, we can enter into the pleasures of Christmas in the hope that the world will be better for the greatupheaval, and that the era of peace will gradually unfold itself for the betterment of humanity. "We can but do our best, and patiently await the'result. In this I hope we heartily wish our readers ' A HAPPY CHRISTMAS,