SOCIAL PROGRESS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3017, 2 March 1917, Page 6

SOCIAL PROGRESS

WHAT THE SALVATION ARMY IS DOING "A BIG PUSH" LOCALLY MRS LOWRY GIVES A SCHOOL (By "Sylvius.") • Tlie war goes on, but ifc does not check the activity of that world-wide Army which only makes war on want, wickedness, misery, and sin. The Salvation Army has had its work enormously increased by the war, as anyone with an acquaintance of tho camps in New Zealand, England, or even France knows, but wliilo the spiritual and moral welfare of tho soldier is being attended to in the field, the hospitals, and the trenches, the work of social uplift goes on without any pause, and one must conolude that the nation, nay, the world, is a little brighter for it. Tho soed of good must bear the fruit of happiness, and every movement connected with the organisation, headed by General Bramwell Booth, _ has the elements of good in it. It is an organisation the innermost'workings of which bear the closest scrutiny. Their comparsion is a kind of compassion that has no trace of silliness or sloppy sentimentality. Theirs is not work of impulse, but that which is best for man, woman, or child dictated by clear reasoning, logicaf'aeduction, horse sense, and, above and before all, living experience. So guided, the Army marches forward across the fields of social endeavour, to create a world ''just a little better"—to re-establish broken-down consciences, to build up battered constitutions, end to cause everyone to fly the flag of hope, which they had lowered by mistake.

The present purpose, however, of tlie writer is to give not bo much a dissertation on the social work of the Army in. general as to detail actually what is going on in New Zealand in the extention of existing works. Already the- Army has a very wellconducted private hotel in Wellington called the People's Palace, a large building in Upper Cuba Street. Brigadier Bray says that owing to the palace being practically full all the year round, and being Tacfd so frequently with the fact that they have to refuse regular patrons, the commissioner has decided to utilise a block of laud at the rear of the palace, and fronting on to Crawford Avenue (long owned by the Army) to build a large three stpry brick addition to tho palace. This will contain 60 odd bedrooms, as well as sittingrooms, lavatories, and all conveniences on the Hneß of a modern private hotel. The plans have been prepared by Mr. Gray Young, and the building is to be completed by Christmas of this year. A Workers' Hcstel. The Army has long desired to acquiro a property that could be used to the fullest advantage as a Workers' Hostel. The idoa was to provide a real workers' home or hostel (not a shelter) for men only, where eaoh worker or returned soldier could have a room to himself, and bo well fed at a minimum cost. That scheme is now to be consummated. The Army has secured tho property of Mr. Geo. AV&bb, at the corner of Tory and Vivian Streets—a fine centrol position—at proseiit occupied by a two-storied shop arid resideacs. Tho present aspeot of that building is to be completely changed by adding another story and rearranging the interior, besides which it will be largely added to on both frontages. The result will be a hostel capable of accommodating from 130 to 150 men. It is considered that the present is a suitable time to launch such a scheme, as such a place, when well conducted, was likely to be used by soldiers from the camp and! roturned men awaiting an adjustment of their affairs. The total cost of the land and building will be in the vicinity of £8000. At Featherston.

At the corner of Fitzherbert and Hickson Streets —the nearest point in Feathei-ston town district to the camp —the Salvation Army.is ereoting a , big accommodation house in wood and iron, for the accommodation of the many people who like to be near the camp and in touch with their relatives for a time before they leave the country with the Forces. This hostel will contain 16 double rooms, about 28 single rooms, a large diningroom, and sittingrooms, all ou the one floor and all within twenty minutes' walk of the camp. Thie is apart altogether from the Army's activities in the camp itself, which are not inconsiderable.

New Industrial Home at Addlngtoh. For some considerable time past the Army has occupied tlio old Government Immigration Building at Addington, Christchurch, as an Industrial Home. Tho place is-very ancient and unsuitable in many ways, and it has beon decided, that it must be demolished, and in its place a- fine new home is to he erected that will cost hetween £2000 and £3000—a, building that will he a. credit to tho Army and the locality, and will allow of the work being carried on much more efficiently than at present. Extension of Island Bay Home.

The Boys' Home in Mersey Street, Island Bay, was originally a nineroomed residence. It has served its purpose very well indeed, but, as is the nature of things, its use has grown, and that growth has to bo coped with. Mr. Gray Young has prepared plans for an extension of the huilding, which will include a new dining-room, kitchen, two large dormitories, lavatories, etc. Instead of having accommodation for from twelve to sixteen boys, this home will in a few months offer accommodation for 42.

A Sunny Corner. ■ Through the generosity of Mr. Whatman, of the Wairarapa, the Army last year acquired a property in Russell (Bay of Islands), which has since been utilised as a home for small boys. It was explained that in. selecting inmates for this home tho Army authorities took into consideration not only the circumstances of the parents, but tho constitution of the child itself. Russell has a mild climate, and a soft, almost sub-tropical, air that is good for weakly bairns. As in the case of other homes where all else is equal, preference is given to the children of soldiers who have been killed or have died whilst on service Tho scheme is fiticli a good one that the accommodation at Russell has recently been doubled. A Word in Season. More accommodation, has been provided at the Eltham Boys' Home latoly by tho erection of a managers cottage, apart from the homo. It now has 55 inmates, and is quite full. Tho question was raised with Brigadier Bray as to whether twice or three times as many institutions would not ho filled up if provided.. Whilst admitting that it was so, ho made it clear that the Army was very particular about each ease, and "turned down many hundreds of applications. ' Let it he clearly understood," ho saidT Hβ do not " believo for an instant in the sapping of parental control over children. A hoard moi'ts every Thursday, and <;oes carefully into every application, and referring them back and back until they aro satisfied that tho circumstances warrant them taking over the care of

a child. It may be a woman left to struggle along with five children —husband dead. It may be a house afflicted with sickness, perhaps the mother has consumption and cannot manage the children as she should. Or it may be .a family wrecked by a drunken husband and father. _ And even when ive take the child, ire insist on the parents paying something a week towards its keep if it is possible for them to do so. It is only right and proper that they should not be permitted to shirk their responsibilities as parents. We, on our part, insist upon the child writing to its parents once a week, and so seek to preserve the family as a family. We are approached by hundreds of people to take their children, but on inquiry find they are quite able to pay for them at an ordinary boarding-school, and 'turn them down' without the slightest hesitation. Occasionally we have discovered cases of imposition. Tn snch cases we have takon the children right back, and handed them in through the door of their parents' residence. We have- a good system, and will not see- it abused. W T e, too. havo an arrangement now with the Defence Department to get the allowances for soldiers' children, who have been, left with us direct from the Pay Department. There are cases where women —but I won't mention that!" Beautiful Home. Tlie most beautiful Boys' Homo the Army possesses is that at Temuka. It was lately the resident of the late Colonel Hayhurst, and was purchased as tho result of a special appeal. It is a noble residence sot in beautiful grounds, laid out in lawns, gardens, and shrubberies. In this case again preference is given to the sons of soldiers' fallen, or still in khaki. The Home has only been open for six months,' and has 30 boys in residence. Lately Mrs. Lowry, of Hawke's Bay, has been generous enough to provide the means for a school building for the Home, which will do away with the necessity of the boys having to attend the local State school. The school, which was designed by "aif. Gray Young, is on the point of completion.