HELPING THE FALLEN.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1922, Page 5

HELPING THE FALLEN.

THE SALVATION ARMY’S WORK WELCOME TO COMMISSIONER HOGGARD. A welcome full of warmth and sincerity was extended by the New Plymouth Salvation Army Corps to the new commissioner for New Zealand, Commissioner Hoggard, and to Mrs. Hoggard and their daughter, Mrs. Bartlett, at the local hall last night. Commissioner Hoggard arrived in New Zealand recently from South Africa to take over from Commissioner Hodder the Armey’s work in this country, and he is at present engaged in making himself known to Salvationists throughout the Dominion, gathering a full knowledge of the various activities of the Army in the different centres. The visitors, who are accompanied by Major Wallace, officer in charge of the Taranaki division, and by Major Scotney, officer in charge of the social work of the Dominion, arrived from Hawera yesterday, and after attending a welcome tea, were later tendered a. public welcome by members of the local corps and friends. The chair was taken by Major Wallace, who apologised for the absence of the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) owing to pressure of other engagements. On behalf of the local corps, Major Wallace extended a very hearty welcome to Commissioner and Mrs. Hoggard. He recalled the good work which the Commissioner had done in South Africa, particularly among the natives. In his leadership they were going to see great things accomplished in New Zealand, not only in Salvation work, but in other ways. Short addresses of welcome wore also given by Sergeant-Major Cobb, on behalf of the senior corps; Mrs. Middlemiss (junior corps), and Bandmaster Roeh (band). The Rev. J. F. Martin, in extending a greeting and welcome on hehalf of the various churches in New Plymouth, appealed for a higher tone in Nev Zealand. They wanted - revival missions in all the churches, and in this work the Salvation Army would take a prominent part. All the churches wished the Army every success in its work for Christianity, and he believed Commissioner Hoggard would do a great deal for New Zealand. Commandant Middlemiss, officer in charge of the New Plymouth Corps, speaking on behalf of the Salvationists of New Plymouth, said that he felt that the spirit of the welcome had been really warm and really sincere. He agreed with Mr. Martin that the tone of the country needed raising. There was a tremendous amount of thought and feeling which ran counter to God and religion, but He had sent them the right people to lead them, and He would use the Commissioner’s personal influence in forwarding Salvation worK. The sneaker also paid a tribute to the local Press for the assistance and sympathy they had given to the Salvation Army.

Brief thanks were returned by Mrs. 1 Hoggard, who mentioned the welcomes that had been extended to the Commissioner and herself in various parts of the Dominion, and commented favorably on its beauties. Referring to the work nf the Salvation Army, she said she believed it had set the lead in allowing women to take an active part in Christian work, and Rhe paid a tribute to Mrs. General Booth in that connection. Commissioner Hoggard was warmly received on coming forward to speak, and he thanked those present very sincerely for the welcome which had been given, a welcome which was in common with those extended everywhere in New Zealand. His work in Plymouth in the Old Country made his visit to New Plymouth more interesting because of that association. He endorsed what had been said that night about raising the tone of New Zealand, and said the only way that could be done was bv increasing the fervour of their spiritual life. Their organisation was not now a young one, but there was_ still a lot of misunderstanding about their work. To some, who did not understand tnem, their organisation was an abomination, but to others they were a very welcome heln in time of trouble.

Speaking of the social side of the Army’s work, he «aid they had over .500 boys and girls in their institutions, which were alwavs open to visitors, while last year they had taken in and cared for in their institutions throughout the world 62.000 fallen women, of whom something like SO per cent, wey» permanent!'’ restored to proner Jives. Tn Capetown the Army had a shelter which was handed over to them by the civil authorities, in which every night they gave shelter to about 250 men of the lowest type of humanity, men who were so low I hat thev could not take off their clothes while they slept in case they were stolen.