THE SALVATION ARMY AND THE PRISON.

Evening Star, Issue 6895, 6 May 1886, Page 2

THE SALVATION ARMY AND THE PRISON.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The letter in your last night’s issue under the above heading, and s’gr.ed “ Not a Soldier,” calls for correction. The work of the Army peed not be exaggerated, and it is neither needful nor just to credit the Army with what is done by another organisation. Your correspondent and his informant seem to bo unaware of the existence of the old-established prison mission bearing the name of the Patients’ and Prisoners’ Aid Society, the committee of which is made up gentlemen connected with the different churches. Since the Ist of July, 1877, that Society have given assistance more or less to discharged prisoners in 602 instances. The help given comprises clothing, boots, blankets, Board, working implements, goods to hawk, fares, etc. —the fares being for the most part to places beyond New Zealand; and special attention is paid to young persons of both sexes, who are restored to their relatives, or, if they are friendless, they are otherwise provided for, and a kindly supervision maintained over them. In other ways, at a cost of much labor, many have had their paths paved for them, and been helped into a course of doing for themselves. It is quite true that individual members of the Army have befriended discharged prisoners, but so also have members of the different churches. A recent visit I paid to the Army Home satisfied me that it is doing a good work, but so also is the Female Refuge. The working

members of the Army are earnest in their efforts, but so also are workers connected with the churches and other institutions. To me, as agent of the Patients’ and Prisoners’ Aid Society, and chaplain of the Gaol and Hospital, the Refuge and the Army Home are of great service, and I aid them to Uie utmost of my power. The facta are, all the institutions, though acting on distinctive lines, co-operate harmoniously. Among all the workers the kindest feeling prevails, and good is accomplished by each separately and by all together. Your correspondent speaks of a Prison Brigade. I would simply say that when any of the women give a favorable response to proffered help steps are at once taken on their behalf, but not exclusively by soldiers

of the Amy. I sympathise with your correspondent’s remarks about the dastardly attack by the Volunteers on the Army in a northern province; but the general tenor of his letter indicates very clearly the difficulties connected with prison work, the necessity for experience on the part of the workers, and for wise and humane discrimination in giving aid.—l am, etc., J. A. Torrance. Dunedin, May 7.