CIVIC WELCOME

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 118, 17 April 1940, Page 9

CIVIC WELCOME

SALVATION ARMY LEADER. PALMERSTON NORTH VISIT. Lieutenant - Commissioner J. Evan Smith, the new Territorial Commander lor the Salvation Army in New Zealand, and Mrs Smith, were given a civic welcome to Palmerston North by the Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) in the City Council Chambers yesterday afternoon. The function was attended by several representative citizens and Salvationists, the latter including Lieutenant-Colonel Grattan, general secretary for New Zealand, and Major V. J. Dick, who is in charge of the Palmerston North corps. Mr Mansford, in extending to the Commissioner the warmest congratulations on his elevation to that responsible post, expressed his admiration for the Army’s work in this city. The harmonious co-opcration of the Army with other organisations for the betterment of humanity was well-known, ho said. The Mayor went on to give a resume of the Commissioner’s life. “Cradled in the Army, Commissioner Smith has the host traditions of the Army as his heritage; and he was intimately associated with the founder, lie takes his religion seriously, making it part and parcel of his every-day life and not as a convenience in time of trouble.” Mr Mansford wished the Army leaders every success, and expressed the hope that their stay in New Zealand would be a most helpful one. Tlie Mayor read an apology from Mr J. Hodgons, M.P., who was unable to attend.

A welcome on behalf of country residents was extended by Mr W. R. Hopcroft, chairman of the Kairanga County Council. The history of the Salvation Army in New Zealand was an open book, he 6aid. From a small beginning it had grown in a prolific manner. In war and peace it did its part. well.

Rev. J. Hubbard welcomed Lieuten-ant-Commissioner and Mrs Smith on behalf of the Palmerston North Ministers’ Association. He said he had been in contact from time to time with several officers of the Salvation Army in New Zealand and knew how much they meant for the moral and spiritual well-being of the Dominion. The new commander followed in a long and illustrious tradition, and his presence would be of advantage to the whole Dominion. The ministers had always worked in great harmony with Salvation Army officers in Palmerston North, and their fidelity, earnestness, ability and help for all causes of the Kingdom of God was appreciated. EX-SOLDIERS’ GRATITUDE. Mr B. J. Jacobs, president of the Palmerston North lteturned Soldiers’ Association, said that all former servicemen were honoured to be represented at the civic welcome, which he trusted that the new commander and his wife would accept not only as a welcome to themselves from the city, but also from all men who had served in the Great War. Many kindnesses and attentions had been given by representatives of the Salvation Army to theso men. They had appreciated, and still did appreciate, the war work of the Salvation Army and he was certain that the Army was going to do as well again. Padres Greene and Walls would always occupy a warm place in the hearts of the ex-soldiers. Lieutenant-Commissioner Smith said he was deeply touched by the kind expressions of welcome and regarded them as a great honour. His recent journeys in the country had given him some opportunity of seeing what the Salvation Army was doing, and he and his wife already felt quite at home- in New Zealand. They felt that they were among comrades and friends, and people who had an interest in the Salvation Army. He had been looking forward for some years for an appointment to New Zealand, and accepted it as an honour and a privilege. He had heard of Palmerston North as a splendid, important and beautiful city and had been looking forward to seeing it. He had also heard that the City Council was formed of men with a high sense of public responsibility. This was something to he grateful about, and he congratulated the city upon it. He hoped that the service he would be able to render himself in New Zealand would be valuable. He had been delighted to hear what had been said about the work of the Salvation Army during the last war. All round it seemed as if the world was being smashed to pieces and it hardly seemed credible that men could sink to such depths. One could hardly conceive that such a civilised people as the Germans could fall back into such a pit of wretchedness. The love of Jesus Christ, to which the Salvation Army was trying to bring people, was the only solution for Die troubles of the world. If the speaker could help to implant some of this love, peace and goodwill “in all hearts then he would have fulfilled his purpose in the country. . Mrs Smith also spoke, saying that she and her husband wore very grateful and appreciative of all tlie kind expressions they had heard that day. She was proud'of the Salvation Army uniform and bonnet, sbe said. they were a passport anywhere.