Thank you for correcting the text in this article. Your corrections improve Papers Past searches for everyone. See the latest corrections.

This article contains searchable text which was automatically generated and may contain errors. Join the community and correct any errors you spot to help us improve Papers Past.

Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

The Daily News. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1922. CHRISTMASTIDE.

Come what may, nothing can efface the mark which Christmas has made in the roll of time. Whether its observance is full of the true spirit associated with this season of joy and gladness, or is merely marked-by a devotion to pleasure, it is the one special time in the'year which all Christendom recognises as an occasion for rejoicing and the exhibition of good will. The various forms in which Christmastide is observed, though differing in unimportant details according to climatic conditions, are all centred upon peace and goodwill, so that gladness is not out of place even amid sickness and suffering and the death struggles of war. It is only necessary to scan the advertisements by business people in the Press in order to realise that at this season of the year the hearts of the community are attuned to giving pleasure to others. This reciprocity has a far greater significance than appears on the surface; it is indicative of the spirit of self-sac-rifice, and, rightly utilised, should have a benign influence on the whole world. Actually the Christmas season is what each one makes it. Year by year Christmas brings back, as if it was something fresh and new, the incarnation of the Founder of Christianity, the exemplifier of brotherly love, and the demonstrator of neighborly good fellowship. The first Christmas Day was an event unparalleled in the world s history—the turning point in the world’s history, the opening up of

a new view of self-sacrifice, new ethics of conduct, and new hopes

of the future. Particularly fitting is it that Christmastide 1 should be made attractive to children, emphasised by the giving and receiving of tokens of affection and goodwill. So long as the world lasts there will be a leavening of selfish people among the i nations. Selfishness is seen in I every walk of life, and is respou- ■ sible for many evils, so that the | Christmas spirit of altruism and ' reciprocity should not only be | welcomed but fostered to the ut- | most by all Christian people. The ; great underlying lessons of Christmas cannot be learned too early, therefore the season is rightly one especially for the children, for in their rejoicings and gladness of heart the elders are reminded of the Christmas days of their youth. Just as we appreciate to the full the glorious rays of the sun after a period of storm and Stress, so should we enter

more fully into the rejoicings of Christmastide after ■ passing through a time of national stringency and industrial strain. Iho outlook in the East may be of a somewhat menacing nature, the political and industrial conditions of the Empire and its units may be in need of serious attention, and the small worries of life assume large proportions, but nothing can rob Christmas of its joyful spirit. Rather is it likely that adverse circumstances will evoke a brighter and more cheerful observance of the festive season, lend added strength to; the handgrip of good-fellowship, and a heartier ring to the time-honored greeting of “A HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.” REDUCED POSTAGE AND TELEGRAM'S. The Government has taken the businesslike course in making a substantial reduction hi the rates for postage and telegrams. Letter postage is to be reduced from 2d to lid, postcards to Id, newspapers to 4d, and telegrams to 9d foi 12 words. These reductions represent a saving of £300,000 to the public, and are being made because of the decrease in expenditure by some £400,060. The heavy charges have caused a reduction of over 25 per cent, in the volume of business done in certain respects by the department, the public exercising a great deal more care in what they posted and what they sent by wire. In the matter of delivering accounts, the department must have lost considerable revenue by stiffening the charges, which the business community always regarded as unreasonable, unjustified, and against the best interests of the country. This belief has now been verified by the Postmaster-General’s own admission that it has been possible by showing economy in the administration of the department, to save the huge sum of £400,000 per annum. The question will naturally be asked: Why was not this saving effected before forcing the high charges upon the public’ However, it is gratifying to know that the reduction has been brought about, evidently without disturbing efficiency, and that the public arc to be given a fairer deal. The response will be ready and satisfactory in the increased business that will follow the introduction of the new rates. It is not to be expected that we will for some time get back to penny postage and sixpenny telegrams, as the war has to be paid for, and increased revenue has to be found to meet increased costs of conducting the affairs of the department.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19221223.2.20

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1922, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
813

The Daily News. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1922. CHRISTMASTIDE. Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1922, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1922. CHRISTMASTIDE. Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1922, Page 4

Help

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert