STRIKING OFFER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 134, 8 June 1932, Page 17

STRIKING OFFER.

ARCHBISHOP'S SACRIFICE.

ONE-THTJEtD OF STIPEND.

TO HELP CHURCH FINANCE.

In his desire to help the Church in a time of distress, Archbishop Averill has made a striking offer to give up the use of Bishopscourt and one-third of his stipend. The offer has been made because of the present economic distress, and with the special object of assisting weaker parishes and preventing the financial collapse of the Church's Maori Mission. Tho following letter has been received from Archbishop Averill by the standing committee of the Auckland diocese: — "In view of the unprecedented financial difficulties • affecting the work of the Church, at the present time, and the possibility of the continuance of those difficulties, I am most anxious to help the Church in this time of distress even more than I have been able to help in the past. I therefore suggest to the diocese of Auckland: (1) That I should give up Bishopscourt and live in a small house, and (2) that I should surrender one-third of my stipend when I leave Bishopscourt and one-half as soon as I can see my way to do so in view of my present commitments —probably in six or nine months' time.

"My chief desire is to help the clergy at this very difficult time and help to save several of the parishes and the Maori Mission from financial collapse. I fully realise that the institutional side of Bishopscourt would disappear for a time and tho entertaining of visitors and others would have to cease.

"I should make more use of my office at the diocese office and attend there three mornings a week, in addition to other times by arrangement. There is no reason why the work of the bishop should be curtailed.

"It would, I think, be only fair that I should retain the right to allocate the surrendered stipend — supposing, of course, that the existing stipend could be maintained. I make this offer to the diocese without the thought or suggestion of the clergy surrendering any part of their already too small stipends."

While expressing its appreciation of the Archbishop's offer, the committee has set up a special committee to consider it and report to a special meeting of the standing committee.