SALVATION ARMY APPEAL

Evening Star, Issue 23373, 16 September 1939, Page 8

SALVATION ARMY APPEAL

PLANS FOR EMERGENCY £2,500 ASKED FOR NOW A circular from Dominion headquarters of the Salvation Army stales; — “ The Salvation Army lias generally met every demand placed before it and risen to its opportunity over and over again. It has become part and parcel ol the national life, and those who are in any way in touch with the movement can recollect how frequently it has met international demands. In the present European crisis it is impossible to say what part is being played overseas by the organisation. Plans are well advanced for the army in this country to make its contribution towards the needs of the Dominion, or further afield if necessary. As during the Great War the Salvation Army met the various needs of camp life, so at the present time have men already been selected to take their place at any moment when the opportunity arrives; and they are empowered to n»i >.><•».. situation, however various might be the claims. Camp arrangements, institutes. tents, games equipment, pianos, and such like, and all the essentials, are now being sought for, obtained, and in the course of a day or so these things should be moving forward to a point of full use and for a special purpose. Looking further afield, the chief secretary has arranged immediately to equip two ambulances for the conveying of those needing such service. The plan is ultimately to have six fully-serviced vehicles of this description, but at the moment it is considered the first objective should be the number previously stated. These can be equipped and on the road within four weeks, and readers will be pleased to know that the builders are prepared to expedite the work for the purpose in view. “ Plans have also been drawn up for the evacuation, if the need, arises, of the children’s homes, our hospitals, and the inmates of the homes for the aged in the centres. On such a condition being necessary, previously organised bands of car owners will be detailed to their particular responsibility. The hope is that this may not be necessary, but it gives comfort to those who are bedridden, incapacitated, or unable to help themselves, to understand that the situation is being met, and at the last they will not be entirely overlooked. The aforementioned programme immediately makes demand for cash; therefore an appeal is being made to our comrades and the friends of .the Salvation Army to assist us at this moment when funds are positively essential. One might say that the immediate costs are as follows:—Ambulance £l,lOO camps and equipment £I,OOO, sundries £400: total, £2,500 If there are those who are moved at heart to support this appeal assistance is a vital necessity, and will be more than welcome.

“ These are but the initial or opening moves in what might be rather a lengthy period of ministry to the people, men in camp in New Zealand, and elsewhere. If there is any suggestion of permanency, huts must be erected, in which our officers will meet the spiritual and also the social needs of the men in camp. Very little can be provided at the cost of £1,500 per hut. and, as we wish to estabish these in three centres, the programme so meagrely outlined would cost, it is estimated, little short of £IO.OOO. To reach this sum the soldiery may be depended on to do their part, with a staunch backing from our officers, and there are many others, our staunch friends, who are only too willing to help in a cause of such Dominionwide and international importance as that outlined. Donations may be sent to the Chief Secretary, P.O. Box 16 To Aro, Wellington.” ’