HONOURED BY THE KING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20705, 1 May 1929, Page 9

HONOURED BY THE KING

DEPOSED LEADER OF ARMY. A COMPANION OF HONOUR. (United Press Association.) {By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, April 29. General Booth has been appointed a Companion of Honour by the King. When General Booth read the letter informing him of the honour conferred on him he turned to his wife and said: “ I am pleased because I see that you are pleased, but wo must not think too much of earthly honours. This is an honour not for myself, but for the Army. My only wish is that I was in a better condition to make use of it.”—Australian Press Association—United Service. The Order of the Companions of Honour consists of one class only, and carries with it no title or precedence, but ranks after the first class of the Order of the British Empire. (The number of awards is limited and is open to both sexes. MRS BOOTH INTERVIEWED. HONOUR A GREAT TONIC. LONDON, April 29. “ The King’s honour will be a great tonic,” said Mrs Bramwell Booth, when interviewed. “We firmly believe that my husband will, by, God’s permission, be well enough again to lead the Army. He is slowly climbing up. He is a saint for whom the world is not yet ready. Whatever is the decision of the courts, wc feci that if the general is able to face his people on the platform they will rally to his side. We have lost our rooms at the Army headquarters. They have removed his mother’s picture. We brought it home, but we never told him. It would break his heart.” In another interview, Mrs Bramwell Booth said: “ Don’t think for a moment that the fight is off. I think when the general reappears the rank and file will proclaim him leader.” The Daily Mail, in a leader, says: "The small and remarkable body forming the Order of Companions of Honour should be proud to welcome General Booth. He took up the work when the Army was a small body. It was scorned and derided. Its marvellous progress owes much to his long and faithful stewardship. The King’s acknowledgment is a compliment to all who marched beneath William Bramwell Booth’s banners.”—United Service.