International Leader Of Salvationists In N.Z.

Northern Advocate, 4 January 1946, Page 2

International Leader Of Salvationists In N.Z.

(Special) AUCKLAND. This Day. To conduct a month’s evangelical campaign in New Zealand before going to liberated Europe the world leader of the Salvation Army, General George L. Carpenter, and Mrs,| Carpenter arrived yesterday by air from Sydney.

After six years in -office General Carpenter retires next June and his successor will be chosen in April. He hopes to take up residence in his own country, Australia, which he left 34 years ago. Before emigration schemes ceased, the Salvation Army transferred more than 200,000 people from Britain, and one of General Carpenter’s chief interests in the present tour is to ascertain present possibilities of such work.

MIGRATION LESS ATTRACTIVE?

‘‘We would be happy,” he said, “to co-operate with the Governments of the United Kingdom and the receiving countries in any schemes that might be developed in the future. However, T would not say that it is going to be so easy to move British people if the proposed social security legislation goes through. English people have a great love for their country and even if they go to the ends of the earth they hanker to get back again some time or another.

‘‘One of the great attractions to emigrants in the past was that conditions abroad seemgd to be better than they were at Home. It may be that social security legislation will militate against emigration from the United Kingdom. In any case, however. I do not think that the various countries have decided on any settled plans for admitting immigrants.” At one time during the war the Army had 20 of the countries where it was active closed to it. but when the war ended it was found that the local members in these various countries had adhered most staunchly to the Army. The General and Mrs. Carpenter were welcomed by Commissioner J. Evan Smith and were received by the Governor-General.