SINS OF AUCKLAND.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3841, 6 September 1928, Page 4

SINS OF AUCKLAND.

SALVATION ARMY MARCH. WOMEN’S VARIED ROBES. BLACK, SCARLET AND WfEHTE. SILENT QUEEN STREET CROWtD. Public attention was drawn by the Salvation Army, on a recent evening, to the “damning sins of Auckland.” The demonstration took the form of a mourning march from Grey’s Avenue through crowded Queen Street as far as Durham Street and back again. Contrary to rumour it went according to plan. There never had been any intention to march the whole length of the street.

The parade, which represented the Auckland division of the Salvation Army, was commanded by Commissioner J. Hay, and in the largo crowd which witnessed the march presumably some of the sins as well as the virtues of the city were represented. It was a good-humoured crowd. Here and there were laughing noisy sceptics, whose raucous voices were youthful. Many others were determined to look on the brighter side of things, and were inclined to regard the demonstration as an example of “brighter religion.” Others, often in groups, had the mien of the deeply pious who prayed that from this demonstration, flippantly called a “stunt” by the young men in the common mood of pay night, go.od might come.

EAIRLY RESPECTFUL CROWD. On the whole, however, the attitude of the crowd was a tribute of respect to the Salvation Army. One imagines that only a small minority approved of this form of religious appeal, but the great majority, remembering the value of the social work of the organisation, were automatically respectful.

Many, doubtless, came to “see the show.” This was in a measure indicated" by the number of motorcars that lined the route, but whatever brought the spectators —and certainly it was not religious zeal in most eases —the crowd was what might best be called “sporting.” Assuming that there had been, iome organised obstruction or interference, the crowd itself 'would have expressed sufficient hostility to have iirevented it without the aid .if the constables under a sergeant who walked in front and cleared the way, the reason being the sense of chivalry that is to be found in all British crowds. That sense would have been stimulated by the fact that half of those who marched were women, and there is some significance in the fact —attested to by a Herald representative who accompanied the procession— that few of the comments loudly passed on the draped women, were made by men. He heard several jeering remarks, but most came from women, Some of the remarks were not of a jeering nature. One woman described the red"; robes as “pretty dresses.” INFLUENCE OF THE MUSIC. Another significant fact, interesting to psychologists, was that no criticism came from the crowd abreast of the band which played harmonious old hymns that most people know. . Under the influenne of this music, played in slow time, the crowd was held in a kind of spell easily understood by anyone, no matter how far removed from the spirit of the march, who had sung these songs in childhood. It was only at the back of the procession, when the strains were merging into the roar of the street that antagonism expressed itself. The juoeession left the Salvation Army Hall in Grey’s Avenue at 8 p.m. In front was the familiar red and blue flag, then came the higher staff offi)cers, and then the three parties of draped women in half sections, escorted by files of men. The first party wore black costumes and hoods, with white girdles, the attire being monkish in out. Next came a smaller band of women iruscarlet costumes of similar cut and then another group in similar garb of white. TEXTS ON BANNERS.

At the head of each was carried a banner. The first bore the text: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow;” another, “Jesus beheld the city and wept over it,” and the other, “We mourn the sins of Auckland.”

Before moving off there was a pause for a flash-light photograph. “Hold your banners up” came the command, as the parade waited for the flash. Then in slow time it moved off. Among the hymns played were “For You I Am Praying,” “Art Thou Weary,” “Lead, Kindly Light,” and “When Peace Like a River.”

Entering Queen Street the procession was in the way of an in-ward-bound tramcar. The motorman gonged loudly, but had to wait, being emphatically advised to do so by a slip of a girl in a blue costume and red hat. She was not of the procession, but wanted to see it by following on and was concerned personally. CONGESTION IN QUEEN STREET.

Approaching the Wellesley Street intersection there was a “blinding light,” but it was only more photography. There was dense congestion in Queen Street, which was lined with motor-car's and filled with standing trams. (Four policemen cleared the way and another brought up the rear. Down here, when women in the scarlet passed, some-

one remarked, “Little Red Ridinghood,” but jokes like these did not go. The crowd was too curious to appreciate them. Many people poured into the standing trams to get a good view of the procession when it wheeled and moved up the street again. There was quite a lot of shallow-draught'excitement. Lots of people asked where the commissioner was. Actually, he was just one of a section of four.” Few people were following when, after the march that lasted only 25 minutes, the Salvation Army Hall was reached again. For the majority of spectators the show was over and the shops and theatres recovered the interests of most, while couples went on promenading.