THE BOOTH INHERITANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 11, 14 January 1929, Page 6

THE BOOTH INHERITANCE.

The world-wide influence of the Salvation Army, its immense importance as an instrument of social and moral reform, and the very great financial value of its numerous material assets, provide sufficient excuse for regarding the present crisis in the Salvation Army as a matter of great public interest. Indeed, the crisis has arisen chieily because General Bramwell Booth and his father, the great founder of the movement, always regarded the Salvation Army rather as their own private affair than as a great public institution which must be open to public criticism and dependent upon public favour. The succession to the founder's office was fixed by his own personal choice, and in accordance with the regulations by which the Salvation Army is governed General Bramwell Booth is also able to name as his successor anyone whom he may choose to inherit his high office. This patriarchal method of conti-ol has tended naturally toward the creation of an autocracy, and strong disapproval of the system has been expressed from time to time not only by outside critics, but by officers of the Salvation Army, and even by members of the Booth family. At the present juncture Commander Evangeline Booth, who is revered by millions in France and America for her services to humanity, has joined with the malcontents not to seek office for herself, but to induce her brother to resign and thus open the -way for the reconstruction of the Salvation Army on more democratic lines. Apparently General Bramwell Booth refuses to withdraw, prefering to throw upon his opponents the heavy responsibility of declaring him incapable of holding office. The General's illness is in reality a side issue which has been made the occasion for a trial of strength between the upholders of autocracy and the champions of democracy Avithin the ranks of th: Army.