ARMY VISITORS

Taranaki Daily News, 16 October 1934, Page 8

ARMY VISITORS

MAJOR AND MRS. E. MASLIN. CIVIC WELCOME AT ELTHAM. A civic welcome was accorded Major and Mrs. E. Maslin, of the Salvation Army, at the Eltham Salvation Army barracks last night, when there was a representative attendance. Adjutant Parkinson welcomed the gathering, especially the Eltham Brass Band, which played selections. The gathering was, he said, a tribute to the esteem in which Major and Mrs. Maslin were held. Major Maslin had distinguished himself in Salvation Army service, and it was fitting to accord him a welcome home. Both Major Maslin and the Mayor, Mr. I. J. Bridger, had started Christian service at Eltham together about 30 years ago, and it was pleasing to have both present. Mr. Bridger said it was indeed one of his most pleasant duties to welcome back one of the old boys of the town. He had never forgotten his old mate, said Mr. Bridger, although separated by distance. Major Maslin had chosen the work of his life and had achieved great success and rendered great service. He was nowholding an important post in India. His purpose had never been altered, although perhaps he often encountered many difficulties and disappointments, and his Christian service to the world had been greatly appreciated. The townspeople were very proud to welcome Major Maslin back after his serveie abroad, and they realised that he had been a credit to his native land. He was a good speaker as a young boy and had never looked back.

Major Maslin replied that the welcome had deeply stirred him. It was a moving experience to renew acquaintances in the old home town. He was glad to come back and find that while he had been away there were those at home who had kept the home fires burning. Major Maslin proceeded to give an account of his experiences in Salvation Army work in India. The numerical strength of the Army was as great in India as in any country of the world, he said, and 10,000 names had been added to the rolls in the firs* six months of this year. The Army people had gone to India without any colour prejudice. Some of the people of India were very cultured, and it was a great mistake to treat every coloured person as ignorant. The Army officers came dressed in the native costume and it created a tremendous impression on the native populace, making the people feel that the Army was one with them. The Army people came sacrificing, which was understood by the Indian people and made a further appeal to the natives. The language difficulty was a very real one with so many dialects. ' He had been credited with knowing 14 languages, but this was not so. He did not know anything like that number. Some officers knew as many as six languages and became very fluent in those tongues, translating into the various vernaculars.