TOC H.

Southland Times, Issue 22449, 12 October 1934, Page 8

TOC H.

WORLD-WIDE MOVEMENT REPRESENTATIVE’S VISIT TO INVERCARGILL. WORK OUTLINED The silent service being carried out by Toe H workers for the good of the community in general is very little known to the public. Tirus it is not surprising that few were aware that among the passengers who stepped from the midday express yesterday was the Rev. Herbert Leggate, . a Methodist minister and representative of the Toe H movement, who was paying a flying visit to Invercargill. Mr Leggate, a quiet, unassuming traveller who gave an impression of great sincerity of purpose, spent the afternoon visiting points of interest m the city. He was entertained at luncheon after arrival by members of the Invercargill branch of Toe H, and in the evening he entered into an informal discussion with this enthusiastic little band. . In the course of an interview with a Southland Times reporter Mr Leggate outlined the aims and organization of the movement he represents. Royal Patronage. “Toe H made its beginning after the war in 1919 in London,” Mr Leggate said, “with a capital account of £9 and a membership of 20. It now exists in almost every country in the world, including all British dominions, America, South America, China, Japan, Germany and other European countries. Through the assistance of its patron, the Prince of Wales, and . a number of generous believers in its mission, it has now property and endowments amounting to £300,000. “The 20 members in London have become 6000 in groups and branches of 20 to 30 strong. One of these units in a single year made and installed 1000 pairs of headphones in two London hospitals. The object of the movement is to pass on to a new generation traditions of fellowship and service. _ _ It seeks to do this by creating Christian families of men who find their fellowship in the presence of their differences. Toe H believes that political, religious and racial bitterness can only be healed by the building up of understanding of the point of view of opposing factions. This is best created when men who differ tackle a task of social service together. “The work of Toe H consists mainly of two types: stretcher-bearing, by which is meant service to those in need, and sheep-dog work, meaning the care of a new generation. In Africa the members who speak Africaans are in the same unit with English-speaking members. In India white people and black work together in the same family. Preparing for Leisure. “In New Zealand there are at present 40 emits, the New Zealand patron being the Governor-General, whose advice and practical assistance have been constantly available,” said Mr Leggate. “We believe that the great task which faces Toe H in New Zealand is that of helping to prepare a new generation for the day when leisure will have more completely taken the place, of work as the centre of human activities. This is a silent revolution which has already taken place in the Western World. It has found the Old Country unprepared. New Zealand has an opportunity to give a lead to the whole world by showing how the mechanization of life can be made to serve rather than fetter mankind.” Mr Leggate, who comes from London, is spending about 12 months in New Zealand consolidating the work which has already been done here. He arrived in the Dominion last November, and will leave again for England on December 28 next. This is Mr Leggate’s first visit to Invercargill. He waxed lyrical upon the Dominion’s charms. “Dominion Richly Endowed.” “I think New Zealand is the loveliest spot in the world,” he told the reporter with his quiet sincerity. “To a visitor to New Zealand it appears that God has placed a little of all the loveliest scenery in a single Dominion.” A minister of the Methodist Church, Mr Leggate was lent to the Toe H movement by the Methodist Conference. With the exception of the Roman Catholic Church all the great religious denominations have given men to the full time service of Toe H. Mr Leggate leaves for Christchurch to-day, but he will return again in three weeks’ time. On his way back to England he will visit Australia.