THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. SATURDAY, JULY 3, 1909. A STRIKING REPORT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9533, 3 July 1909, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. SATURDAY, JULY 3, 1909. A STRIKING REPORT.

The latest annual report of the Salvation Army operations in Australasia, a copy of which has been handed to us by Adjutant Greene, of Masterton, is not only interesting reading to every individual who takes the slightest thought of social work that inestimably benefits thousands of his fellow brothers and sisters, but is, like reports that have preceded i l- , a splendid illustration of the intensely noble work that the Salvation Army is performing. It may belaid that on every side, in every walk of life, and, practically, the world over, the great humanitarian work of "the Army" is recognised, and its value from a purely national standpoint really seems to be so great that'the reform work should receive substantial assistance by way of Government grants. The officers of the Army no doubt fully appreciate the fact that their work is universally appreciated, but they would unquestionably be still better pleased if that recognition were emphasised in every case by a donation when the Self-Denial Fund makes its annual appearance. How greatly they must long for 'means to extend their noble work to the length that they deaffe! To deal at ali comprehensively with the statement, which is submitted by trustees of that public faith and good will which have so nobly seconded the efforts of the Salvation Army in its Social Department, is quite impossible in a brief article, but we give the following extract, which speaks for itself:—"The paths trodden by Army officers during 1908 follow "in His steps." They show a record of which we are justly proud. They represent sunshine and darkness, heat and cold, dust-storms and perspiration baths, mud and rain, welcome and rebuff, self-denial and hand-to-hand combat with sin in many forms, 365 days and nights. Is it too much to ask a few minutes of your time to read the story of labour, patience, defeat and victory, hope and fear, joy and sorrow, in the storm-tossed sea of human need and faithful ministry? Read how the tens of thousands of homeless have been cared for, how the hungry have been fed! Read about those 572 fallen women who have been brought int)

Homes! Read of the 549 friendless pregnant women admitted to the Maternity Homes, where 514 babes were born amid comfortable suroundings! Give this brief hour to reading about the 450 little girls cared for in our Orphanages during the year. Then there are the 257 boys who were inmates of the Army Homes at beginning of the year, and the 185 admitted during 1908. Read about the old men, seventy of whom came to our Homes in 1908, and the male inebriates, sixty-seven in number, entrusted to our care. Think of til regiment of 1.195 mtsn who found safe refuge in our Prison-gate Homes, and the 755 sick people nursed free of all cost through sickness and want by our noble sisterhood."