SALVATION ARMY REFORMS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 42, 20 January 1931, Page 6

SALVATION ARMY REFORMS

When General Higgins was appointed the chief officer of the Salvation Army, two years ago, he made a promise to inaugurate certain reforms. The conference of Commissioners from all parts of the world, held in London late last year, Was the result of the General’s promise, and it is anticipated that the decisions arrived at will lead to greater efficiency in. this world-wide religious organisation. Commissioner Cunningham, who arrived back in New Zealand last week, states that the Army has been freed from some of the old laws which were advantageous forty years ago, but which are now obsolete. The need for a revision of the Army’s constitution was made abundantly clear when the position arose which resulted in the High Council being called together in London two years ago, but it is interesting to note that the recent meeting- of Commissioners was the first occasion on which such a gathering of leaders of the Army has taken place in the fifty-three years in which it has known this name. Vital changes were made in the constitution. The most important are that, in future, a General shall not have absolute power to appoint his successor, but that he shall be elected by the commissioners, lieutenant-commissioners and territorial commanders of two years standing; the General no longer shall be the sole trustee of the Army’s property, and shall retire at the age of seventy. Highly important, also, was i the decision to constitute a Board of Arbitration to deal with matters in dispute between a General and officers of high rank. The Board will be composed of leading officers, and its decision will be final. It has been generally conceded that the decisions of the special conference of Commissioners form a notable advance in the direction of constitutional government and must result in improved working of the Army. The need for the Salvation Army, it has been written, does not grow ■less, and whatever can be done Jo further its scope and efficiency must be applauded by all good citizens.