SALVATION ARMY

Evening Star, Issue 23351, 22 August 1939, Page 9

SALVATION ARMY

HIGH COUNCIL MEETING NO CHANGE IN CONSTITUTION DESIRED Pres* Association—By, Telegraph—CopyngiH LONDON, August 21. (Received August 22, at 9.25 a.m.) The Salvation Amy Council passed a resolution desiring the new general not to change the constitution of the Army without consultation with the Commissioners. COUNCIL READY FOR NOMINATIONS QUESTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, August 21. (Received August 22, at noon.) It is understood that the Salvation Army High Council has reached the stage at which it is in » position to accept nominations. The official statement says; “The council to-day discussed some methods by which assistance could be rendered to the Army General by developments within the scope of the present organisation.” This is taken to refer to the suggestion with which the names of Commissioner Lamb and others are associated, and to which other members of the council are believed to be strongly opposed, that the general should have the advice of an administrative council of Army officers in matters connected with organisation, as distinct from the duties of evangelical leadership. ELECTING NEW GENERAL The High Council of the Salvation Army is composed of the Chief of staff, Commissioner M‘Millan, and all the Commissioners of the Army throughout the world, the New Zealand representative being Commissioner P. Adams. The council is called under the Salvation Army Act of 1931 and has the power to elect a president and vicepresident, and the person to be elected must have a two-thirds majority of the voting, which is by ballot. The High Council was given legal standing and authority in an Act put through the British Parliament. Inis provides for the calling together of the council from time to time to elect a general, but the council immediately dissolves upon that election. The position is one of intense interest to members of the Salvation Army, and there seem to be two distinct groups. One wishes to see one of the older officers become the general, somewhat as a reward for long service. But against this there is a growing desire to get a younger man, with still many years of service left. There is also a spice of sentiment left, and this may be represented in votes for Commissioner Catherine Booth, grand-daughter of William Booth.

Among the names mentioned as possibilities is that of Commissioner M‘Millan, chief of staff, whose prospects might have been outstanding but for a serious breakdown in health this year, which has left him weak physically. Then there is Commissioner Hurren, who has spent .most of his service on the administrative side and is a fine orator. Another name mentioned is that of Commissioner Damon, of the United States. These are all members of the council. It is, however, possible for the council to elect a general who is not one of its members. _____