THE RED BANNER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17218, 8 December 1923, Page 2

THE RED BANNER.

SALVATION ARMY IN INDIA ACCOUNT OF MISSION WORK IVifch tho objeofc of laying the financial needs of tho Salvation Army in India before the people of New Zealand a mission consisting of five of tho Army’s Indian officers is at present making a tour of the Country. Australia has already been visited and success has been met with there. The mission is headed by Lieutenant-Colonel W. A. Suttor, chief secretary of the South Indian Territory. Accompanying him is his wife, who holds a similar rank. Lieutenant-Colonel S. Samaraveera, Captain Jayawansa, and Adjutant Santoshan. Lieutenant-Colonel Suttor and Mrs Suttor aro both Auatralians, while Lieutenant-Colonel Samaraveera and Captain Jayanwansa are Cingalese, and Adjutant Santoshan is a Temal Indian. Captain Jayawansa. who is twenty-four years of ago, was formerly a Bhuddisfc priest, but became converted to Christianity through reading the Bible, which he had to study in order to pass examinations necessary for his advancement in the priesthood. The mission arrived in Christchurch to-day and is staying at the People's Palace. The men are conspicuous because of the scarlet coats they are wearing, and the three Indian members appear to be making themselves thoroughly afc home. One of them, a smiling, good-natured man, was playing with a baby girl in a passage of the boarding house—he was the only one who had served in a Bhuddist temple from childhood. The others were making themselves agreeable to those who were fortunate enough to make their acquaintance. Lieutenant-Colonel Suttor is a quiet man, but ho is obviously one of the type that manages to get tilings done without making any great disturbance during the process. A thing that should make him interesting to New '

Zealanders is the fact that he was at one time an Australian inter-State footballer. Half-back was his position and he said that he first made acquaintance with New Zealanders on the football field thirty-four years ago. He grew reminiscent when ho spoke of playing against such men as the Warbricks, Keogh and Whitesides. Speaking of his work in India, he said that he had gone out there to be in charge of the array education work. Difficulties were many, but these had been overcome gradually, and now everything was running well. One of the principal troubles had been that of devising an educational scheme suitable for the natives in the villages. Had it been made too elaborate it would have meant an exodus from the villages to the cities, so it was finally decided to teach reading, writing and other elementary subjects, and at the 6ame time giving a certain amount of technical education, which would be helpful in the village industries. The really brilliant students met with were sent to teachers* training colleges or else secured as officers for the Salvation Army. “ The native welcomes education,” said the , “ because he realises that it makes him a better man. But education is no use to him unless an industrial opening is found for him when the course is completed.” He said that the objects of the present touring mission were to give people an insight into the work the army was doing in India, and also to show the peoples outside how necessary it was to give the work all tho financial assistance possible. In India and Ceylon the Army had 3000 officers engaged on the mission and education work.

The Indian Government, he said, gave assistance to the schools, but the Army was not privileged in any way, for all schools which kept up to a fixed standard were granted subsidies on a basis which was varied according to local conditions. Education was welcomed even in the native States, and every facility was given to the teacher and officially a toleration was given to the teaching of the gospels. One interesting part of the Army’s work was among the criminal tribes of India. These tribes were lawless wanderers who depended upon theft for their living. The Criminal Tribes Act of 1911, however, made it necessary for them to register with the police, and they were forced to remain in restricted areas known as settlements. Once a tribesman went outside his settlement he was immediately arrested. In order not to condemn these people for all time tho Act provided that if a tribesman’s conduct was good for a number of years he would be released from his virtual imprisonment and allowed to go once more among the better people of the commnnity. It was among these settlements that a mission was ordered by General William Booth, and with the permission of the Indian Government seventv-fiv© officers went out in 1911 to begin the work- Through the army’s work, 6aid Lieutenant-Colonel Suttor, “an increasing number of these people are being released each year, and are taking their place in the industrial life of their country.” The mission will take part in services at the Salvation Army Citadel throughout the week, and special meetings will be held in the Liberty, Theatre to-morrow.