MATTER OF STIPENDS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 27, 13 November 1935, Page 11

MATTER OF STIPENDS

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. /Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, Nov. 12. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand decided to-day to set rip a committee to investigate ministerial stipends and those of other church officers. It was contended in an overture from Westland that the present payment by the church of her permanent servants was based on varying and often unexamined principles, and that some were gravely perturbed lest at this time of social and economic questioning the church would be making, by her internal practice in these matters*, a false witness to soThe overture stated further that some advocated that ministerial salaries be calculated and paid according to relative needs, in relation to the yearly resources of the whole national community. In view of these and other circumstances, the Westland Presbytery asked the assembly to appoint a committee. (a) To review the principles upon which ministerial stipends and those of the church’s other agents are at present calculated. , (b) To inquire what principles ot payment and appointment are most consonant with the Gospel, and the service of its ends. (c) To collect and publish evidence on these matters. , The Rev. L. H. Ker (Wanganui) said that at present there were extraordinary anomalies in the remuneration and support of the ministry of the church. He moved that the’ prayer of the overture be granted, and this was agreed to. The treasurer said there was stm a reluctance on the part of the congregations to repay- loans. Presbyteries were not realising that loans at a cheap rate were only available if repayments were made regularly: If presbyteries wished to secure the benefit of assistance from the New Century Fund they must insist on the honouring ot their agreements.