SALVATION ARMY SELFDENIAL FUND

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3183, 6 September 1917, Page 3

SALVATION ARMY SELFDENIAL FUND

WOMEN'S NATIONAL RESERVE CO-OPERATE. With the object of stimulating interest and active sympathy in the work of tho Salvation Army, particularly in regard to its Solf-donial Fund, the ipresident (Dr. Platts-Mills) and executive of the Women's National Keserro (Active Branch) gave an "At home" in the Citadel in Vivian Street yesterday afternoon, at which Commissioner Hodder gave Rn interesting address concerning the numerous and varied activities of the organisation. As is very well-known the Army has had its work greatly increased by the exigencies of the war, and the splendid work it has done and is doing for our soldiers both at lonie and abroad makes heavy calls upon the Army funds. For this reason it was felt that something should be done (in answer to the appeal made for help) to further, the effort that was being made by the Army for its Self-denial Fund.

The citadel, in which a fair is being held at the present time in aid of the Self-denial Fund, looked very attractive, with its vivid draperies of red, blue, and white, and the representations of Maori meeting-houses, in which the stallholders displayed their varied wares. Small tables, flower-decked, were arranged for tea, which wae handed round later in the afternoon. A short musical programme was given previous to Commissioner Hoddors address, Miss Dall contributing songs, and the children of the Salvation Army Home singing several songs, one of their number also giving a recitation.

During the course of his address, the Commissioner enumerated some of the nctivities of the Salvation Army, pointing out that in its different homes for girls it had in all about 150 in its care. Where possible the guardiane of tho children (if they had any) were asked to pay 7e. 6d. a week for each child, bat there were many taken in, ' for which nothing was received. The children were fed. clothed, boarded and educated. Doctors' fees had sometimes .to be paid, since all doctors did not see their way to do tho work free of chaise. In every way those who were in charge of the upbringing of these children aimed at making them self-reliant, so that when they had to stand alone they would be able to do 60 with confidence. There were men in the Dominion to-day who had passed through their hands and were now holding important positions, and

who promised to bo prominent in tho country's' affaire in days to come. Within recent times, stated tbo Commissioner, threo new homes for children had boon opened, and one (at Island Bay) doubled. At Russell (bay of Islands) the Army • was enabled to have a homo for boys through the gonerosity of Mr. Whatman, of Jlasterton, in which from thirty to forty boys were being brought up. Thoro was another homo at Tβmuka for boys, to which Mrs. T. H. Lowry (a very generous friend to the Army) had given .£IOOO for the establishment of a school in its own grounds. There was also the Homo for Girls in Auckland and the Home at Island Bay, which at tho present time held thirty-seven boys. In all, about 250 boys and girls were being educated and cared for through tho efforts of the Salvation Army. As might naturally be expected, tho circumstances that led to their adoption were very often the sequel to many sorrowful stories, and sometimes very sordid ones. Some* interesting and illuminating facts as to the patriotic work of the organisation were given, its activities extending right up to the front. Thirty motor ambulances at lesust were its gifts, and they were driven by Salvation Army drivers, and manned by them, while Salvation Army nurses did their best for the sick imd wounded. It was reckoned that 100.000 of the troops had been conveyed in these ambulances to dressing stations and hospitals. Very many hutments had been provided by the Salvation Army, from , which the men ivere able to get many comforting and supplementary little luxuries in tho way of food, as a variation from the simplicity of army rations. At one hutment alone from 3000 to 4000 eggs a day were used. A cup of tea was provided for a penny, which in London would cost 2d. or 2|d. Fully .£BO,OOO had beon spent upon hutments and a large amount also upon hostels'. Host of those present had heard of the hostel in Russell Square. Not only did the Salvation Army house the "soldiers in these hostels, but it provided motorcars to take them to their destinations when arriving on leave in Britain, and in every way tried to counteract the many dangers that beset the men in the cities of the United Kingdom. Yet another part of the work was tho visiting of the wives and mothers of the men who had gone to the front. These the Army tried to assist in whatever ways offered.

In thanking Commissioner Hodder for his interesting account of the activities of the Salvation Army, Dr. Hatts-Mills said that when she placed the appeal thnt had been mado to her for assistance in regard to the Self-Denial Fund before the Women's National Reserve Executive they had most gladly assented to help the fund. She hoped that the results would be of material benefit to tho Self-Denial Fund.