SOCIAL UPLIFTERS SALVATION ARMY'S WORK

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 74, 28 March 1914, Page 9

SOCIAL UPLIFTERS SALVATION ARMY'S WORK

RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT.. As a factor in the social and religion* life of the Dominion the Salvation Army is daily becoming greater. In the second National Congress, now being heid in Wellington, in which, some 1500 Salvationists are taking part, and in the opening of the new Maternity Home in Ken-sington-street and of the Booth Memorial Training Gollege next week, tho citizens of Wellington are having this fact duly impressed upon them, but when a, comprehensive resume is given it must be admitted that these functions give but a hazy idea of the work the Army is carrying on in New Zealand and the progress it is making. In an article which Brigadier J. H. Bray, of Wellington, hat just prepared for publication in the Salvation Army periodicals some highly illuminating evidence is given in this connection. In pointing out the great strides wliich have been made by the Army in N«w Zealand since the Dominion was made a separate territory and was placed under the command' of Commissioner W. J. Richards, ; but eighteen months ago, the Brigadier \ states that over .2000 seekers 1 of the • Truth have been registered at the Commissioner's meetings. Special attention has been paid to the young people, whom the Commissioner looks upon as the future hope of the Salvation Army, and one of his first administrative acts was the appointment of four Y.P. secretaries ~ for the divisional centres, and ofi a na-' tional Y.P. secietary. The result of the < work carried on is shown in the following increases during the past twelve . months : — Junior soldiers' roll, 219>; number of names, on register, 602; meetings held, 1829 ; attendances (exclusive of companies), 44,953 ; number of company meetings, 1738 ; attendances at company meetings, 20,993 ; corps cadets, 70 ; , attendances at corps cadets' preparation class, 563 ; number of young people's workers, 59. By such corps as Wellington City, Wellington South, Dunedin, Dannevirke, etc., the latest methods of instruction have been introduced, viz., kindergarten, sand trays, plasticine work, blackboards, etc., and the cradle rofi. The young people are" classified into primary, junior, intermediate, and senior grades, thus catering foi* all ages with great profit to e4ch section. This system is spreading to the larger corps, and will eventually reach . the majority of places. The development of the corps cadet has also gone forward steadily with gratifying results. The work in the senior section has more than held its own, and in almost' every phase, shows encouraging signs and proofs of advancement. The year ended [ with the following increases : Corps, 6r< j officers, 19 ; soldiers and recruits, 15)5 ; War Cries, 30,707 ; young soldiers, 14,115 ; soldiers' open-air attendances, 15,918 ; week-day attendances, 20,513 ; local officers, 320 ; converts, 209 ;' financial income, £5,703 4s 3d. On the social side the work amongst women has disclosed evidence of rapid and permanent improvement. Fine new maternity homes have been opened at Auckland and Dunedin, and now an extensive and well-equipped institution of a similar description is being opened in Wellington. The Women's Rescue Homes have been renovated and improved in appearance, the Boys' and, Girls' Homes have been extended or renovated, and a splendid new laundry has been opened at ParnelL, Auckland. On the men's side a .new wing, capable of accommodating thirty men, has been added to Roto Roa Island Home for Inebriates, a five-roomed cottage for anassistant officer erected, and a new launch purchased. There are now 100" men at the island. IThe- Salvation Armyi Workmen's Home at Auckland has undergone several important alterations, each improving the utility of the place, while the Prison Gate and the Industrial Homes and Sheliers have been well maintained. At the instance of the Commissioner, four Salvation officers with the rank of captain have been appointed as chaplains to the New Zealand Defence Forces, the first instance in which this has been done in the Empire. During the past eighteen months the properties of the Salvation Army in the Dominion have been added to by over £40,000, of which £18,000 has been raised in cash contributed by the people of New Zealand. In addition, large sums have been spent in renovations. A scheme iB now afoot for the erection of an extensive Salvation Army block in Wanganui, comprising a splendid brick citadel, a wooden Young People's Hall, and officers' quarters. Land has been 1 secured and Salvation Army Halls erected at Mount Eden, Auckland ; Kilbirnie, Brooklyn, Lower Hutt, Foxton, and Riverton. Sites have also been proI cured for the erection of buildings at several other places, including Taumarunui, Te Kuiti, Paeroa, Gonville, East Wanganui, Queenstown, Invercargill South, Waikiwi. Castlecliff, Frankton Junction, and Hamilton East.