THE GENERAL WINS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16865, 31 January 1929, Page 8

THE GENERAL WINS

SALVATION ARMY CASS ENTITLED TO EE HEARD (Elec. Te), (copyright—United Press Assn.) (Australian Press Assn. —United Service.' (Received Jamiarv 31, 1 p.m.) .lan. 30. General Booih’s application for an injunction was granted. When the Salvation Army ease was resumed. Mr. Greene. continued his speech on behalf of General Booth. He said it was impossible, to say the general’s health was not. a matter for adjudication. There had not. been a proper adjudication and the High Council was not. entitled, in deciding the question of lit ness, to lake into consideration allegations and charges calculated to influence the mind of the tribunal without giving the general the opportunity of meeting them. Mr. himmonds, on behalf of the High Council, said the deed of ISO 4 was the f.’iiiy safeguard the army possessed against, an evil autocracy which might heroine despotism, and against a general who no longer had strength and will power, lie begged the general to think again before challenging this deed.

“The general’s writ, and the challenge if issues,” lie continued, “shocked every man in the army. Everyone who supports the. army from the outside thinks it pitiable that this action should have been brought. The suggestion that the general has been adjudicated unfit without being heard was preposterous. The general in his own letters confessed that he was unfit.”

Mr Justice Eve, in granting Hie injunction, said, the ease was argued solely on the ground that General Booth should he hoard in his defence. The primary question of'the validity of the 1904 deed would only he solved at a trial action. The council certainly was empowered to adjudicate anyone as unlit. When General Booth desired time to consider the position the council passed a. resolution which must, have suggested to General Booth that his physical weakness was the only ground advanced for his retirement. Further, tlm emmeiTs letter showed the feelings of greatest respect and affection for him. The real question was whether the council ought to come In a conclusion without General Booth, personally or by a deputy, supporting the view that he was stall fitted for the post.

“f cannot, help thinking that u mistake has been made in not giving General Booth an opportunity to he represented by his agents." he said. Therefore. the resolution cannot stand. The Council lias not yet broken up, and it is not a matter calling for long delay. In the circumstances the injunction mustbe limited so as not to prevent the council at once rectifying ils mistake andultimately adjudicating on the matter after the plaintiff lias been beard. “ Knpiving to Mr Greene. Mr Justice. Eve said: “It is a bad resolution.” Mr Simmords intimated that the only fact jo lw advanced against General Booth would he bis physical unfitness. HIGH COUNCIL TO MEET (Australian, and N.%. Press Association.) (Received Jan. hi, 2 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. JO. The High Council is expected to meet to-morrow to fix the date to hear General Booth’s representative. A member of the High Council, in a statement, said that the change in procedure would strengthen the position, as it would he impossible to say it had not treated the general fairly.. Previously he thought if unnecessary to hear the general’s representative because his wife, two daughters and sister were members of the council, and Mr. Justice Eve had pointed out that I hey were also adjudicators: On belialf of the Army’s High Council, it is officially stated it would he incorrect to say that Mr. Justice Eve’s judgment voids the proceedings so far taken. The general lias not indicated his course of action. He will first consult his solicitors.

A high-placed Sal vat-ion Army officer says the 'injunction 1 voids the whole of the. High Council's prior proceedings, luif. docs not prevent il reassembling and passing a similar resolution. The council will probably take that course during the next, few days. It is certain that, no one will change his views on the general’s unfitness, hut lie may he joined by one or two who opposed the resolution before.