EVANGELINE BOOTH

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 98, 27 April 1935, Page 10

EVANGELINE BOOTH

ARRIVAL AT AUCKLAND

STIRRING WELCOME

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, This Day.

A stirring welcome was accorded General Evangeline Booth, world leader of the Salvation Army, on her arrival from Sydney this morning. At an early hour, before the Wanganella had rounded North Head, a large party of Salvationists, including a brass band, went out by launch. As the launch approached the ship the band played, a hymn. A small bonneted figure appeared on the boat deck and waved a handkerchief, and cheer after cheer came from the launch below. It was a touching scene, and there was a catch in the general's voice as she called out the single word "Hallelujah." As the ship approached the wharf the general saw a large number of Salvationists and a huge banner bearing the words "Haeremai, General. Ten thousand welcomes to New Zealand. The spirit of the founder again visits the Land of the Long White Cloud." There was renewed cheering as the smiling leader, who looks much younger than 69, leaned over the rail. She gives the impression of immense energy and sincerity. In the course of an interview during which she spoke on a large number of topics, General Booth said it had been erroneously reported that Salvation Army bands had been banned in Germany. The Government there had stopped all street collections except by its own agents, but that was not a measure directed against the Salvation Army in particular. She said, that Britain had travelled further than America towards recovery, but widespread misery was still very real, and the depression was still, there. Yet the all-important fact was that by means of relief funds Britain was taking care of her own. There was something very substantial and efficient about the old Homeland. General Booth said that she was frequently asked as to the future of religion, and the implication was that this was the first time the religion of Christ had been put to a real test. She did not believe it was in any grave danger. Certainly its situation was not nearly so serious as at other periods in history. Modernism had had its hey-day, and was on the wane. ■General Booth will leave Auckland next Saturday, but said today that she would promise to return to New Zealand at some future date.