PATRIOTIC DISPLAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16025, 17 September 1915, Page 4

PATRIOTIC DISPLAY.

THE SALVATION ARMY.

ADDRESS BY COMMISSIONER.

A demonstration in aid of the patriotic funds was made last evening by the Salvation Army, when, in addition to a procession in Queen Street, a crowded gathering in the concert chamber of the Town Hall was addressed by Commissioner H. C. Hodder and Mrs. Hodder.

The procession, which included five tableaux representing patriotic subjects and Salvation Armv rescue and social : operations, assembled in Quay Street, and marched along Queen Street to the Town Hall. The Auckland Citv, Newton, Eden, Parnell, and Onehunga Bands, the three latter grouped as one, played patriotic selections, and 200 boy scouts also took part. The procession was in charge of Brigadier A. B. Carmichael, assisted by Staff-Captain A. Thurkettle, Adjutants l. E Holmes, C. Bear, C. Rudd and E. Hill, ail of the Salvation Army. At the meeting in the" concert chamber of the Town Hall, Commissioner Hodder gave an interesting address on the worldwide operations of the Salvation Army.! It is 50 years," he said, "since the salvation Army commenced its operations, but we are holding no jubilee celebration just now. We 'must wait until the world is at peace. While there is so much agony and suffering in the world, we cannot undertake to have a jubilee in the ordinary sense." The speaker traced the history of the movement from the first efforts of General Booth to the present day activities. The fcalvation Army, he said, existed in 58 countries embracing 9696 corps, including <£!,UUO officers and employees at headquarters and 62,845 local" officers. The bandsmen, who gave their services free and bought their own uniforms and equipment numbered 23,994, with junior members totalling 3970. In addition there were 13,699 songsters. Day schools, mostly in foreign countries, totalled 605, and there were 12,346 cadets in training as future officers. The Gospel was preached in 36 languages. Dealing with the activities of the Salvation Army in connection with the war the commissioner said that the Army had sent 15 motor-ambulances to the front, and as many more had been offered by other organisations to be manned by Salvation Army officers and men. There were 25 naval chaplains in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Throughout the Empire 1000 halls and buildings, the property of the Salvation Army, had been placed at the disposal of "the military authorities. In addition many Army officers and men had gone to the" front on active service. Of these the number of bandsmen was estimated at 3000 and the number of officers and men at 15,000. Much of the Army's work had been in connection with Belgian relief. The Salvation Army had received 10,000 sick and wounded Belgians and had given shelter to many refugees both in England and i Holland.

Items were contributed by the various bands, and a collection was made on behalf of the patriotic funds.