BOOTH'S BOODLE BRIGADE

NZ Truth, Issue 243, 19 February 1910, Page 4

BOOTH'S BOODLE BRIGADE

Erection of "Refuge" Reseated.

"Truth" is pleased that the residents of Island Bay are determined m their- opposition to the Salvation Army's proposal to erect m the district "A Prison Gate Home." Sound arguments have been used by those foremost m the agitation to keep Island Bay free from possible contamination by letting this beautiful seaside resort be made the dumpingground for the 'riff-raff and derelicts that the Salvation Army secure and "reform." The Salvation Army proposes to erect m Wellington's most picturesque resort one of those specious , establishments designated "A Prison Gate Home." If they succeed, a suburb that is rapidly growing m favor as a residential area will lie disfigured by the presence of a sort of doss-house and sweating institution, where the labor of prisoners m gaol will be converted into a profitable source of revenue for the Boodle, Blood and Fire Brigade, which is making religion a trade and which is notorious the world over as being an enemy to trades unionism and Labor generally. When this Salvarmy proposal was mooted some time ago, the residents of Island Bay held indignation meetings, and the cold water of disfavor was thrown on the Army's project. So strong was tb« opposition that the local Booth-ites stayed their hand, but with the advent m Wellington of "Commissioner" Hay, the project has teen revived. This "Commissioner" has been making covert references to tlie Vigilance Committee, and "the expiring kick of class distinction " The Vigilance Committee have therefore again come to the fore, and a deputation waited on the City Council on Thursday evening last and vigorously j protested against the "Army's project. It was pointed out that Booth's boodlers had scouted the suggestion of a conference with the Vigilantes, and it was put to the Council that if had no power to protect a large number of ratepayers within the city's boundaries, then it was high time it had. The Army, it seems, owns property m Island Bay, and though there could be no valid objection to their putting the property to some reasonable use, there is a big objection 'to kennelling up criminals -. m a comparatively isolated suburb, populated m the daytime mainly by unprotected women folk. The result of this deputation was that a committee was ordered to be set up to confer with the residents of Island Bay and the Salvation Army authorities, and report to the Council. "Truth" applauds tbe Vigilance Committee for the spirit it has displayed m opposing the Army's proposal. "Truth" is not going to criticise Array methods m this article, but this paper cannot lose 'sight of the fact that there should be soine mur-icipal control exercised over these canting Christians, who daily exploit the "submerged tenth," and while professing to save their souls are sweating their bodies. We know what a Prison Gate Home would- mean. It would mean that the Army would scour the gaols for incurable human irrecKß and criminals beyond all hope ol redemption. These criminals would be given; a "home," and made to toil from dawn till dark, while their presence m ;the district would be an eternal source of anxiety for the resident, who would be for ever m a state of perturbation fortbe safety of his wife and children at home. It is to be hoped that the City Council committee will perceive the force of the arguments laid before them and decline : , to allow the contemplated establishment of an institution to be perpetrated, if the Army wants to build a refuge, let it go elsewhere.