BRITISH PRESS ON CHRISTMAS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 9015, 28 December 1907, Page 4

BRITISH PRESS ON CHRISTMAS.

A number of English papers have been expressing themselves in advance in relation to the Christmas season. On all sides at this time, says the "London Tribune," there is a loosening of the purse strings, and men and women freely give some of their superfluity, many more out of i their necessities, to those less fortunate than themselves. But in giving, thought is more than money, and the I most charitable would make a greater real gift to the poor if they would give something of their store of mental energy to the question of the causes which bring it about that the poor are always with us in the midst of the ever-increasing flow of wealth, Given as much sound and careful thought as there is good feeling and well-meant endeavour in uur midst, the time would not be so remote when a merry Christmas might be the common enjoyment of every class. In the last sentence our London contemporary touches the very root of the whole question of charitable aidJ Speaking of the old-time nustom of observing the Christmas festival, the "Daily Express" remarks:—"Of all the customs and usages which the conquering Englishman imposes on this quarter of the world, non 3 can compare with those of Christmas. When the drum-beat of empire rolls round' the world today its reverberations will pass through many .climates; but wherever the flag flies Christmas will be kept as we keep it here. Amid the snows of Canada, on the temperate Indina hills, in the pleasant warmth of New Zealand, under the sub-trop-ical sun of Australia or Central Africa, our own people will reproduce England. This day is an epitome of English life.' The calm, deep piety in which it opens suits the character of an essentially religious people, The banqueting, the games, the present-giving, and the pervading gaiety of the afternoon and evening are the characteristic pleasures of a hearty people, dowered by nature with the suprems gifts of a cheerful spirit and a good digestion. Though time robs us of many things, we are not likely to see the decadence of our English Christmas. The genius, of our race forbid that so much pleasantness and innocence should decline."