On behalf of The Salvation Army I would like to thank you all for both the time you have taken to consider our written submission and for the time here today to hear this our brief oral
submission.
As you may know The Salvation Army has served New Zealanders and especially poor and vulnerable New Zealanders for over 130 years as part of our mission of service to our God and to our brothers and sisters.
As you all probably know too Christian teaching and especially the teachings of Jesus place special emphasis on the needs and interests of children and it is that emphasis which of course brings us all here today.