A "DEATHLESS" ARMY

Evening Star, Issue 25700, 25 January 1946, Page 8

A "DEATHLESS" ARMY

MR NASH WELCOMES GENERAL OARPENTEI WORK OF THE. SALVATION ARMY (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 24. Appreciation of the great social work of the Salvation Army in New Zealand and elsewhere was expressed by the Acting Prime Minister, Mr Nash, at a Government afternoon tea reception to-day in honour of its international leader, General G. L. Carpenter, and Mrs Carpenter. The function was attended by Ministers of the Crown, diplomatic representatives of the United Nations, members of the Legislature, and senior officers of the Salvation A warm welcome was accorded General and Mrs Carpenter by Mr Nash, who said he hoped the Salvation Army would live longer than other armies. He thought of. the Salvation Army as a deathless army. He re-, ferred to what its workers had done in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and other countries for the " bottom dog " and for the destitute and the poor. He also mentioned its work for the servicemen of this and other wars, and its interest in migration and other phases of activity. On behalf of the Government and the people of New Zealand Mr-Nash said he wished to say how much they appreciated what the Army and its officprs had done for the betterment of mankind. The progressiveness he had observed everywhere during his hurried visit to the Dominion was mentioned by General Carpenter when returning thanks for the welcome to Mrs Carpenter and himself. In many parts of the world which he had visited he perceived something in the nature of envy of the people of New Zealand because of {he provision made for its citizens General Carpenter referred to the air bombardment of Britain during the war, and the spirit of British people. He knew families which 4iad been bombed out of their homes five times, but he had never heard one word of complaint or self-pity. He had never felt so proud of the race to which he belonged as in those days The air warfare in Britain had given them a lesson that would not be lost on the understanding hearts of this and other lands Mrs Carpenter also replied to the welcome.