SALES OF WORK

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 8, 4 October 1929, Page 6

SALES OF WORK

A BISHOP’S CENSURE

Dominion Special Service.

Auckland, October 3.

Bishop Cherrington does not approve of sales of work for gathering money for church purposes.

At the opening of a sale of work at St. Peter’s Cathedral Ladies’ Guild this morning he declared: “I wish to, at Hamilton, make it quite clear that It thoroughly disapprove of these sales of work which are such a feature of church life. They are really a means of robbing the poor.” His Lordship pointed out that the ladies of the Guild competed with people who sometimes found it hard to make a living out of selling such articles as .baby clothes and needlework. “You invite people here hoping they will purchase your goods,” he said, “but you cannot get away from it that sales of work and bazaars, whether there are guessing competitions or raffles or not, are entirely wrong in principle.” He considered that church people who desired to assist the church should put their hands in their pockets and not patronise sales of work. There were, however, extenuating circutn stances in the present case as the ladies had worked hard, not to pay off the debt, but to make additions to the church. Ladies’ guilds, he observed were delightful institutions where all sorts of things and all sorts of people were freely discussed. They proved very useful in raising funds for spe ciai objects. In view of the purpose for which St. Peter’s Guild had ear marked the proceeds of its sale His Lordship added he was willing to withdraw any part of his. criticism which might be objected to.