"General" Booth.

Manawatu Herald, 31 May 1892, Page 2

"General " Booth.

~ -* A sketch in the' February number of Moonshine represents Mr Bull's " old man of the Sea "with an added re mark " and he's not to be shaken off either." 'l^ohn Bull " is the usual stout built countryman, and on his back with his long legs over John Bull's shoulders, and arms clasped tight round his neck, is the venerable '• General-" Booth, with a big drum upon his back. John Bull is likely to retain the worthy " General " bub owing to some loose talking on the part of our Premier, we are likely to have bofore long, clinging to us, the more undersir* able portion of the great Salvation Army, known as the submergedtenth. The government papers assert that the cable newsman invents the information despatched over the wire, bat the news is repeated, and every time a little further information is given which shows that the danger is greater than any one would wish. - -It is true, as a contemporary fairly said the other day, that these unfortunate, and let ns hope, partially reformed people, are not those who can possibly make a home for themselves in our busb lands, their whole life has been against their having the slightest chance of success ; and if not successful what a prospect for the ' colonists I Trouble geneially brings out the worst side of human nature, \ and these unfortunates, reduced by <

hunger and hoplessness, will be sorely tried to again pursue the wrongful callings from which, for a time, they had been reclaimed. The trouble, the danger, the expense is to be borne by the New Zealand taxpayer! The cablegrams now state that the half million acres secured jn this colony, lip'ori which Bondon 's submerged-tenth is to be dumped, has been secured from the Natives. How ? Luckily the meeting of Parliament i 3 near, so that the whole question nifty be taken out cf the 1 Premier's hands, and General Booth may have a decided statement made to him as to how far he will be allowed to transfer the persons he is trying to improve^ We do not wish to shut a reasonable proportion out of our country, if carefully selected) aiict some undertaking is given to remove them to their old camping ground, if they prove neither energetic or skilful enough to provide for themselves here by honest labour. It is an experiment, laudable enough on the part of the " General/ but at the same time risky erlqugk foi* otir rutei's td make special provision in tlie way we have stated;