SALVATION ARMY DISPUTE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 1 February 1929, Page 6

SALVATION ARMY DISPUTE.

Council to Meet Early

REPRESENTATIVES OP GENERAL TO BE HEARD.

Australian Press Association. Received Thursday, 7.0 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 30. • When Mr. Greene, K.C. resumed Ins speech on behalf of General Booth, he slated it was impossible to say that the General’s health was not a matter for adjudication. There had not been a proper adjudication, and the High Council was not entitled, in deciding the question of fitness, to take into consideration allegations and charges calculated to influence the mind of the tribunal without giving the General an opportunity of meeting them. Mr. Simmouds, on behalf of the High Council, said that the deed of 1904 was tie only safeguard the Army possessed against the will of autocracy which might become despotism and against a General who no longer had strength to wield power. He begged the General to think again before challenging this deed.

“The General's writ, and the challenge it issued had shocked every man in the Army. Everyone who supported the Army from outside thought it pitiable that this action should have been brought. The suggestion that the General had been adjudicated unfit without being heard was preposterous, the General, in his own letters, hud confessed he was unfit.

The High Council of the Salvation Army is expected to- meet to-morrow to fix the date of the hearing of General Booth’s representative.

A member of the High Council, in a statement, intimated that the change in procedure would strengthen the council’s position, as it would be impossible to say that it had not treated the General fairly. Previously he had not thought it necessary to hoar the General’s representative, because the General’s wi-.’o ,two daughters and a sister were members of the council, but Mr Justice Eve pointed out that they were also adjudicators.

On behalf of the Army’s High Council, it is officially stated that it would be incorrect to say that Mr. Justice Eve’s judgment voids the 'proceedings hitherto. The council will meet at the earliest to consider the next step, which, presumably, will be to appoint a date to hear General Booth’s representatives. The General has not indicated his course of action. He will first consult his solicitors.