CHURCH OF- ENGLAND,

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 49, 26 February 1918, Page 2

CHURCH OF- ENGLAND,

ENGLAND,

CENTRAL POTD SCHEME. APPEAL FOR SUPPORT. 'A meeting was held last evening in .St. Sepulchre's Hall for the purpose of inaugurating the now Central Fund that •was constituted by the last session of the Anglican Diocesan Synod. Dr. Averill, Jtisnop of Auckland, occupied tho chair, and there was a large attendance. After the organiser (Rev. J. J,. A. i-aylJ) had explained the objects of the fund, and the manner in which it was proposed to conduct the campaign for its support, Mr, C. J. Tanks spoke in hearty commendation of the (scheme, describing the needs of the Church and the great opportunity that its members had 'of uniting together in the most progressive movement that had ever been' launched by the diocese. .Mr. "VV. J. Speight appealed to the Meeting to consider its obligation to give 'better support to the clergy, and" to make provision for a creat "fucrease in their numbers. The Bishop declared that thr one great Wish of his heart was to see the diocese thoroughly and efficiently organised. To support his Church was the first duty of every churchman, and the war 'had shown us how freely people could Hve •■when they had a mind to do so. He pointed out that every churchman would be asked to subscribe to the fund, and he relied upon a faithful and literal sponse. To the wealthy lie appealed for substantial support; to all he appealed to give according to their ability. The Central Fund scheme provides for the payment of the stipends of all parochial clergy by tho Standing Committee of the diocese, which has power to assess parishes and parochial districts' for contributions to the common fund irom which payments are to be made. The fund will also benefit, it is hoped, Sr<xa annual subscriptions and donations, and from the revenue obtained from an endowment fund which it is in■tended to build up by degrees. The principal object is to raise the general 2evel of clergy stipends, especially" in the country, and to enable relatively \realthy parishes to contribute to the maintenance of work in others less favourably situated, besides creating a fund ■with -which the needs of church extension can be met by means of grants. The organiser will shortly begin a twelve months' tour of the diocese, in the course of which he will visit every '■pariah and parochial district, for the purpose, of explaining , the scheme to the church officers and obtaining contributions to a nucleus fund of £5000. without which the scheme cannot bo started. The new system of finance will not he brought into operation till after the . meeting, of the Diocesan Synod in. October next. '". ~ ■'.-.*