THE SALVATION ARMY

Hokitika Guardian, 21 January 1931, Page 7

THE SALVATION ARMY

GATHERING OF LEADERS. CHANGES IN CONSTITUTION. AUCKLAND, January IG. After attending a (special conference of Salvation Army Commissioners called by General Higgins, Commissioner J. Cunningham, territorial commander of the Army in New Zealand, returned by the lonic. Although it is now 53 years since the Army was first called an army, this is the first occasion on which such a gathering of leaders has been called.

“When the High Council met in London two years ago, General Higgins then expressed his desire to have certain changes made in the constitution,” lOommisslonter Cunningham said. “The changes suggested would certainly have cutailed the General’s own personal powers, but it was with a view of bringing them into effect that the recent confei'cnco was held. APPOINTHENT OF GENERALS. “One of the points at issue was the appointment of generals. Since the inception of the Army it has been the custom for the General to appoint Ins own successor, and not only General Higgins, but also many officers and soldiers felt there should be a change. Doubtless when the deed of constitution was framed in 1878, it met the need for a time, but neither the founder nor his advisers had any idea of the dimensions to which the movement would grow. The deed has outlived its day, and although a supplementary document was prepared and made legal in 1901, it did not materially alter the absolute power of the General. The present General could not alter the legality or these deeds, and as a result a conference of 52 Army leaders from all parts of the world was called to secure, if possible, a majority decision concerning alterations to the deeds. The conference ultimately decided that in future no General should have the power to appoint or nominate his successor, and that all future generals should he elected by commissioners, lieutenantcommissioners, and territorial commanders of fwo years’ standing. It was also decided that the property of the Army, instead of being held in the name of the General, as previously, should in future be held in trust by a body of tho highest ranked officers who would act hv virtue of their office. A minority of the conference favoured a further modification of the General’s powers, but the majority decided that the military system of government should he continued. Much thought was also given to the question of the retiring age for generals, and it was finally agreed that owing to the onerous nature of his work the General should finish active service at the age of 70.

“In tlie event of any future dispute between the General and an officer of high rank, the matter at issue will be the subject of an enquiry and the new-ly-constituted Arbitration Court, consisting of a number of leading officers, will decide. Altogether the conference should result in the improved working of the Army. It has been freed from some of the old laws which veic advantageous forty years ago, but which are now obsolete.’’

MIGRATION WORK. Commissioner Cunningham is accompanied by Brigadier J. Imrie, who for some years was in charge of the Army’s migration work in Australia. Moie recently lie was general secretary at the Migration House, London. Brigadier Jmrie has visited New Zealand frequently on secretarial duties and will now fill an important position at Wellington. “Owing to conditions in the Dominions our migration work is now largely at a standstill,” Commissioner Cunningham said. “We have decided not bring any more immigrants to New Zealand until conditions improve.” Commissioner Cunningham also mentioned that at the conference he met Commissioner James Hay and Commissioner Hoggard, his immediate predecessors in the Dominion, both of whom wished to be remembered to friends in New Zealand, Commissioner Hay was now in command of Canada. East territory with headquarters at Toronto, and Commijssioner Hoggard had recently been in charge of Canada West with headquarters at Winnipeg. However, his health had not been good, and he intended to retire without taking another appointment.