Salvation Army Leader

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 98, 29 April 1935, Page 7

Salvation Army Leader

General Booth Welcomed at Wellington

WARMTH AND AFFECTION APPRECIATED Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. General Evangeline Booth, international leader of the Salvation Army, arrived in Wellington to-day by tho Main Trunk express from Auckland. She was given a rousing welcome. As the train drew in the combined Salvation Army bands struck up, “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.” General Booth was accorded a welcome by the Acting Prime Minister (Hon. E. A. Ransom). “The people of New Zealand arc delighted to have the opportunity of welcoming you to this land,,” he said. “They appreciate the work of the army, both from tho religious and the social standpoint.” When General Booth arrived at Paulina Home, Newtown, where she will stay while in Wellington, the girls from the home were formed up in a doublo line on the footway. They sang, “This tlag of ours,” and the General entered under an archway of flags.

In the afternoon she was accorded a public welcome at the Town Hall, which was packed to the doors half-an-hour before the announced time for the commencement. The Mayor (Mr. T. G. A. Hislop) presided, those oil the platform including the Governor-General, Viscountess Galway and prominent Wellington citizens. .Speaking after the General's address, his Excellency said he had not intended to say anything, but sho had suggested that lie might say one word. “Her Excellency and I have come because we feel what a wonderful movement this is, and to express the hope that it may long continue in its good work. New Zealand gives General Booth a most hearty welcome.” General Booth, who was received with sustained applause, expressed her appreciation for the warmth and affection shown by the people of Wellington, She gave a lecture on the world’s greatest romance—the story of the Salvation Army. General Booth will be in Wellington till Thursday, when she will leave for Auckland, eu route to America.

Stirring - Welcome at Auckland ARRIVAL FROM SYDNEY AUCKLAND, Apri* 27. A stirring welcome was accorded General Evangeline Booth, world leader of the Salvation Army, on her arrival from Sydney this morning. At an early hour, before the Wanganella had rounded the North Head, a large party of Salvationists, including a brass band, went out by launch. As the launch approached tho ship the band played a hymn. A small, bonnetted figure appeared on the boat deck and waved a handkerchief, and cheer after cheer came from the launch below.

It was a touching scene and there was a catch in tho General’s voice as she called out the single word “Hallelujah 1 ” As the ship approached the wharf, the General saw a large number of Salvationists and a huge banner bearing the words: —“Haercmai, General, Ten Thousand Welcomes to New Zealand. The Spirit of the Founder again visits tho Land of the Long White Cloud.”

There was renewed cheering as the smiling leader, who looks much younger than 69, leaned over the rail. She gives the impression of immense energy and sincerity. In the course of an interview, in which she spoke on a large number of topics, General Booth said it had been erroneously reported that the Salvation Army bands had been banned in Germany. Tho Government there had stopped all street collections, except by its own agents, but that was not a measure directed against tho Salvation Army in particular.

She said that Britain had travelled further than America towards recovery, but widespread misery was still very real and the depression was still there. Yet the all-important fact was that, by means of the relief fund, Britain was taking care of her own. There was something very substantial and efficient about the old Homeland. General Booth said that sho was frequently asked as to tho future of religion, and tho implication was that this was the first time tnat the religion of Christ had been put to a real test. She did not believe it was in any grave danger: certainly its situation was not nearly so serious as at other periods m history. Modernism had had its heyday and was on the wane. General Booth will leave Auckland next Saturday, but she said to-day that she would promise to return to New Zealand at some future date.