A NOBLE WORK

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 12581, 30 September 1908, Page 4

A NOBLE WORK

"Pbobablt the greatest peril confronting Australasia to-day is the ignorance, poverty, vice, and crime of its tywer strata of society. To transform as much as possible of this into orderly, peaceful, honest, and prosperous members of society is the most important task allotted to her government and citizenship." The above is the opinion expressed, by "An Outsider," in an interesting preface to a still more interesting sketch of the Salvation Army rescue and prison-gate work, in. a booklet entitled "£W for a Soul." The title has reference to the cost involved in dealing with individual cases passing through the Salvation Army Homes, and a perusal of the booklet reveals the magnitude of the enterprise and the effectiveness of the methods employed. Few, if any, will deny the claim of the author that the work of the Salvation Army in Australasia shows results which stamp it as one of the most potent forces of civilisation — in this world — for good, and the increased number of the Army's institutions, the increased number of workers, their increased zeal, and the increased value and monetary cost year after year bear eloquent testimony to the magnificent social efforts. Governments and individuals have trusted the Salvation Army as their agents in these matters, not only because of the earnestness and experience of its officers, and its facilities for doing the work, but because they see a constant effort to "improve all methods, meet all emergencies, conquer all obstacles, and obtain maximum results, and that each case is known to receive close and exhaustive study, which is' followed by direct attack upon the causes which have produced the suffering, and an intelligent plan for their removal. It is unnecessary to refer -in detail to the various branches of the Army'a work, such as the prison-gate brigade, the maternity homes, the private hospitals, the nursing in poor districts in connection with the hospitals, the rescue homes, the slum brigade, and the suicide bureau. Suffice it to say that great activity is being displayed in all the branches, and marked success attends the efforts 6f the reformers. The pro]>osed 'extensions >n New Zealand during the forthcoming yoar inclui.- the establishment of a prison-gate home in Wellington, a boys' home at Eltham, and the purchase of a maternity home at Auckland. The total number of homes in Australasia is now 68, whicn provide a daily accommodation for 3000 persons. The Salvation Army is also at the service of all who aeed help, and in connection with its league of mercy in large centres, does a great amount of work each week in relieving distress. The cost of maintaining these many institutions for the relief of distress and suffering is very great. Every week over .£I6OO is needed. By means of industries and fhe general work of the inmates a large part of this sum is raised: The Governments also assist by charitable grants and in other ways. The balance has to be made up by the donations and subscriptions of friends. In this connection the annual "self denial" appeal is now being made, and no doubt the -same generous assistance that has been extended in the past will again be given to assist the Army in its noble work.