SALVATION ARMY

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 57, 8 March 1923, Page 11

SALVATION ARMY

COMMISSIONER BOOTH TUCKER.

Commissioner Booth Tucker, one of the most powerful minds in the Salvation Army, arrived in Wellington by the Corinthic yesterday, and was last evening accorded a welcome to the city by the Mayor and councillors and a large gathering in the City Council Chamber. The Commissioner, who is accompanied by his wife, will preside over the. annual convocation of Salvation Army officers in the Dominion. He has lived a long and strenuous life, and Ims been one of the men to whom the Army owes its great growth and influence. As a young man he entered the Indian Civil Service, but in 1881 he went to England and presented himself to General 'BooUi for service. He _ spent some years working for the organisation, and then went to the United States, following which he was sent to India, where the movejpent was on a- poor footing. He spent some time in reorganising, and lived almost na a native in order to get to understand the people with whom he was to deal. In welcoming the Commissioner and Ins wife to Wellington, the Mayor outlined the history of "the visitors, and mentioned General Booth's remark that Commissioner. Tucker was one of the men of high culture and position who had been touched by the Army's message. Mr. Wright wished him a pleasant stay in New Zealand. Mrs. Booth Tucker, replying on her own behalf, stated that the movement was now rooted firpily in the life of many nations. They believed in approaching people in the manner to which they were accustomed. They had long wanted to see the progress of the work "hi New Zealand. Commissioner Booth Tucker and Commissioner Hoggard briefly thanked the Mayor for the honour ol a civic welcome.