“ARMY I WOULD NEVER DISARM.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17833, 29 April 1926, Page 5

“ARMY I WOULD NEVER DISARM.”

BIRTHDAY LUNCH TRIBUTE TO GENERAL BOOTH.

„ . LONDON, March 15. I am a believer in disarmament, but there is one army I would not disarm one army for which I would vote for mor ® > officers and men and expenditure, said Mr Lloyd George yesterday. He was presiding at a luncheon attended by over 600 people at the Connaught Rooms in celebration of General Rramwell Booth’s 70th birthday, and delivered a whole-hearted eulogy of the Salvation Armv.

General Booth, he said, was a remarkable man, the son and successor of one of the most remarkable men of his age. the founder of one of the most remarkable movement of this or anv age.

Few men could point to thousands of men. leading happy, contented, useful lives who, but for their exertions would have passed through squalor and wretchedness into - dishonoured graves. The man they were honouring, that day could rightly and righteously make that boast.

lie was glad to see General Booth so vigorous. Age had nothing to do with years. Me was a young man of 70 who had just reached his prime. (Laughter and cheers.) There was no encouragement to the forces of evil in the fact that General Booth was 70 vears old, and there would be no luncheon organised Down Below to congratulate themselves on the fact that General Booth had passed the allotted span of life. (Laughter.) There were 83 countries in which the Salvation Army operated, and he believed they were going to conquer six more. That was the sort of militarism the sort of Imperialism, that he liked to see, and it was the right spirit of conquest.

He noticed that part of the birthday fund was to be devoted to the settlement of disputesi apart from political, disputes. (Laughter.) The fund would not be big enough to settle political disputes. “It is easier to persuade heathens to part with their most cherished idols than to induce a politician to part with the feuds he adores,” added Mr Lloyd George, amid laughter and cheers. NO SLAVERY TO RULES. The Salvation Army had doctripes, but they were not like the people who would rather damn a man according to rules than save him outside the rules. He believed there were doctors who would rather see a fracture remain than call in someone who was not a qualified man. (Laughter and cheers.) I am a believer in disarmament, in reducing the officers and men, and the expenditure of armies,” Mr Lloyd George continued: “ but there is one army I would not disarm, one army for which I would vote for more officers and men and more expenditure, and that is the Salvation Army.” At the present moment it was passing through the perils of popularity but if it wanted confirmation and encouragement it could reflect that there was one monarch who disapproved of it still, the Prince of Darkness. It was because he kept up hostilities and waged war upon him, that they were so delighted to see the General that 'day in the full enjoyment of health, vitality and vigour—“and we wish him Godspeed." (Cheers.) “IF MR LLOYD GEORGE JOINED ME.” General Booth, in reply, said Mr Lloyd George seemed to be drawing nearer and nearer to the Salvation

If, he added, “Mr Lloyd George would join me I feel sure that with such an accession of wisdom I could tackle even the problems of political differences. (Laughter and cheers.) Lord Lincolnshire said his first association with the late General Booth was at High Wycombe, where he saw him, a hatless young man, flying for his life and bolting into a shop for shelter from a pursuing crowd, who were throwing potatoes at him.

The last time he saw the late General was in the same town, where he arrived in a great white car. and was received by the Mayor and corporation.