The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6,1909 A POPULAR OFFICER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2392, 6 January 1909, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6,1909 A POPULAR OFFICER.

It is one of the features of that, remarkable organisation, the Salvation Army, that its officers are constantly being moved round from one station to another according to the plans laid down by- those exercising higher control. These changes are often made hurriedly and without explanation, so that the officers are made to feel what—they really are, merely units in a great organisation in which unquestioning obedience and the strictest discipline is exacted just as it is in the military world. The idea undoubtedly has its good points, and is to some extent responsible for tlio wonderful virility that is displayed in Army matters all the world over. There is no opportunity for an officer to fall into the groove of an easy and comfortable existence which might gradually become fatal -to his energetic labors. Long ere such a state of affairs could he brought about ho is hurried ofF elsewhere, and in a new sphere of notion he has to make iresli friends and begin anew the work of the Army. At the same time there arc obvious defects even in such an excellent system. Thus it is hard to believe that the work of that body in Gisborne will not suffer by tlfe removal of -Adjutant Dickons. Unit eminently capable officer has carried out his duties with such enthusiasm, such untiring energy and such obvious devotion to his cause that- he has gained the confidence of the citizens iu the work of (lie Army to an extent that would scarcely have been deemed possible during the short period of his sojourn here. Of course, his change of residence will mean a gain for the Army in some other locality, but from Gisborne’s point of view his somewhat premature departure must be counted as a distinct loss. The Adjutant has proved himself worthy of the work that has been placed before him, and the fact that the Army is able to command, not merely the services, but the absolute devotion of such as he, supplies the key to its extraordinary success. To the sympathetic references which were made to him at last night’s gathering, his brief and simple reply, “I am what the Army made me,” is a lesson in humility that might with advantage be copied by many eo-call-ed “self-made men,” for not one of his hearers doubted sincerity of the Adjutant’s statement. During his term in Gisborne Mr. Dickens has maintained the number and the standing of his soldiers, he has caused the Army band to bo a credit to the town, but more important .still ho has led tlio public to realise that the Army is ontVdf the most potent factors locally in seeking out the social derelicts and giving practical relief to the suffering wherever possible. No one has ever appealed to the Adjutant in vain, and the effect of his work in the community will bo apparent for a ilovig time to come. Combined with high principles land unflagging zeal for. liis work, the officer who is now farewelling' possessed a keen shrewdness in business matters, and whilst gaining the thorough confidence of the business section, was able to organise his work in such a way as to command success. Gisborne will bo the poorer for his departure,, but (in leaving Adjutant Dickens will have the satisfaction of knowing that the esteem in which the Army is held locally—largely as the result of hi® efforts—will in alio the task of his successor very much easier than would otherwise be the case.

j record concerns the town only-; To j those who have used llieir powers X)l : ■ observation, and who arc not blinded by prejudice, it will not como as a 1 surprise to find that the greatest increase is in tlio cases of drunkenness, which have jumped up from 303 arrests in -1907 to 434 in 1908. The position is a serious one, and should receive the careful attention of the Licensing Committee. It is very evi. dent that some licensees are freely and constantly breaking the law, otherwise- such a large number of inebriated persons would not be found in. the streets. It is for the police to exi ' c iso all possible vigilance with the small staff available to discover where i\ is that persons already intoxicated ■arc able to obtain more liquor, and it is for the Licensing Committee to make use of the information obtained and refuse to grant renewals of licenses to persons who have shown themselves unfit to hold them. In this work the police an"d the Committee should be assisted by the better ■ class of publicans to whose interest it should be to minimise existing abuses. The connection between the liquor traffic as at present conducted and the startling • increase in our criminal record is so obvious that the -public can scarcely be blamed for ' drawing its own conclusions.