SALVATION ARMY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 10 April 1928, Page 4

SALVATION ARMY.

EXCHANGE OF OFFICERS. LBV TJJLKGEAPH-PRJSSS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, April 9. A scheme whereby Salvation Army officers in Australia and New Zealand will exchange positions was arranged at the recent conference in Australia, attended by Commander Hay, head of the Army organisation in New Zealand, who returned to Auckland by the Aorangi and left for Wellington this evening. Commissioner Hay explained that it - had been arranged to exchange 20 staff and social officers in June, v the object being to obtain the benefit of new ideas in evangelical work. The exchange was nominally for a period of seven years, but the commissioner said that should the officers concerned desire to continue in their exchanged positions for a longer time no difficulties would be placed in the way. Nineteen years ago Commissioner Hay was appointed commissioner for Australia and New Zealand. He early recognised the necessity for the appointment of a separate commissioner for New Zealand, a step that was taken fourteen years ago. Since then an additional commissioner has been appointed to Australia ,and Commissioner Hay said that such great progress was being made that a third similar appointment would soon be necessary. After leaving Australia Commissioner Hay served in South Africa, coming to jtfew Zealand eighteen months ago-. How greatly the course of the Army has commended itself to New Zealanders is made plain by the remarkable progress made last year, when fifteen new stations and two new social stations were opened and £62,000 was expended in the purchase of land and buildings. To-day members and adherents number 20,000 and it is estimated that the number qf regular worshippers not actually enrolled as members is equally as great. Commissioner Hay hopes no re-visit Auckland in two weeks’ time, He was accompanied to Australia by Mre Hay.