Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1479, 24 December 1881, Page 2

Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

'lqu.il and exact justice to all men, CM whatever state or persuasion, religious or political Here Mi ill the Press the People's right maintain Unawcd by influence and unbribed by j*;un.

SATURDAY, DEC. 21 1881

Once again, in the spinning of this earthly ball " clown the ringing grooves of change," comes round that day honored by all Christian peoples as the anniversary of Him who is the author and founder of their faith. As such ifc is regarded as a day of thanksgiving and rest, but it is, nevertheless, the pivot upon which turns most of the mirth and merry-making of the year, as well as the centre of that period when the highest and noblest feelings of the heart are awakened ; when brotherly love reigns (or ought to reign) in the breasts of all ; and when friendly greetings strike the ear at every turn. In. this glad season, we should be wanting in our duty to those who have followed us through the circle of the seasons, were we not to add our greeting to the rest. The theme of Christmas, despite its perennial newness, is too old for us to enlarge upon here ; nor is it required that we should urge, as is necessary in the countries of the old world, the claims of the suffering poor upon the rich. We move in converse seasons ; there the Christmas carols are borne over wastes of snow and ice ; while here, if we have Christmas carols at all, their music trills under summer sties : There they often, too . often, penetrate into homes were Want stands gaunt and grim under the lintel, while here, God be thanked, such a thing almost, if not entirely unknown. But, none the less, Christmas has its lessons for us too. In the struggle for wealth or worldly goods, we, in this new country, are too apt to forget our duty to one another, not as citizens merely, but in a wider sense as communities. We have always hoped for and.* wrought to bring about a better state of feeling between the various districts

which make up "The Waikato," feeling assured, as every thinking person must, that the secret of our strength lies in unity, and not in disunion ; and we do not despair of seeing the consummation of such a desirable condition of things yet. But we must be open, andsay frankly that it is not so now. What the causes may be we shall not pause here to enquire : sufficient for us that they exist. We do not desire to preach, or sink into bathos, but there can be nothing unfitting in saying, at the turn of the year when the prevailing sentiment is goodwill to men, that these are j matters which should be taken seriously to heart. We have, in Waikato, much to be thankful for,, much to remind us that our lines havu fallen in pleasant places, and if we will spare a brief moment from the consideration of our individual advancement to examine the question of our general weal, we shall not lose but gain by it. We have nothing to add. To-day will be a day of preparation for the Christmas morn to follow and the jovial holidays which are to succeed, which will have passed before we again meet our readers, to whom we wish, with deep sincerity,