ANTI-BOOTH PARTY.

Grey River Argus, 15 January 1929, Page 5

ANTI-BOOTH PARTY.

SUSPENDS OFFICERS. Struggle for Supremacy. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON, January 13. Although the majority of members of the High Council were absent from Sunbury, uniformed officers guarded the doors most closely during the week-end. The telephone authorities have been instructed to refuse all calls to General Booth’s cottage at Southwold. Inquiries there elicited that General Booth does not intend making a statement until the High Council meets again. The Daily Herald says that two high officers have been summarily suspended by the anti-Booth party. Disciplinary action will be taken against several more. “It is apparent that the anti-Booth section will fight to the bitter end in the struggle for supremacy.” “God is Ou r refuge and strength,” Psalm forty-six, was the keynote of the proceedings, as the High Council of the Salvation Army listened to the reports of the impressions of the officers who visited tho General.

Thus states the official report of today’s assembly at Sunbury. It added that the interview was of the most intimate nature. The General fully understood the purport of the visit, and promised a decision without delay. The Council adjourned until Tuesday morning, when the decision is expected. Dr Herbert Hart, one of the oldest Salvationists, private secretary to the first General, drove up and asked to see the Council, but was refused admittance. He told interviewers he ■wanted to suggest that, instead of being dismissed, the Genera? be made a Field Marshal.

X A Deadlock. GENERAL'S REFUSAL. TO RETIRE. LONDON, January 13. The “Daily Tel-igrapli” states: — It is understood that the view in the official Salvation Army circles is that General Booth will rMfiiae to accept the Arm*- High Council’s ultimatum. The Daily Chronicle’s representative at Southwolil definitely states that General Booth has written to the High Council expressing his firm resolve not to Ifl'tire, though the reply contains the outline of a compromise. If the High Council decides to aeposs General Booth, the General will fight the matter in thlj Law Courts.

Ifte Herald of Revolt FROM SOUTH REGIME. NEPOTISM ALLEGED. (Sun Cable.) (ReceivlAl Jan. 14 at 7.25 p.m.) LONDON, January 13. Mr F. A. Mackenzie, in an article in the “Daily News,” reveals that the; reform movSfment in the Salva tidn~Army began two years ago, when Colonel Carpenter; then a prominent official at eHadquarters in London, thought it Eis duty respectfully to leil General Booth that his quick promotion of his own children was cansing dissatisfaction. General Booth” immediately relega ted Colonel Carpenter to a minor post in Melbourne, which he. had b eld twenty-two years previously. Che General nijver saw him again, but many Commissioners ana officials signed an album, paying a tribute to and sympathising with Colonel Carpenter. This devotion to Colonel Carpenter crystallised the vague discontent from which tIG present movement has grown. One party desires a wider elective system giving greater powi r to tb e different sections, and enabling local corps to have a say in the choice or the officers.

This opponents of reform are of the opinion that this would destroy the system of military direction and quick decisions and actions, which make the Army efficient. The latest names ffinely mentioned as possible, successors to General Booth are Oommifisioner Hay, of New Zealand, whose presidency of the High Council has won him great credit: Commissioners Lamb, Higgins and Evangeline Booth, The Daily 'Mail says:—Thousands of Salvationists aiG indignant at the .High Council for keepng them ignorant of events, until the disclosure of the General’s letter- forced publicity. One East End woman officer complains that the rank/ and file are forced to bear the. ignominy of tre dispute. She adds: —“We are dit&ding Self Denial Week on February 28rd, when we must appeal to the public. We dare not expri-Bs bur views, because we would be suspended and thus would lose our livelihood. ’ ’