MAORI MISSION

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 9, 11 July 1922, Page 7

MAORI MISSION

POSITION OF FINANCES

REPORT TO SYNOD,

The report of the secretary of .the Maori Mission Committee (the Rev. V. H. Kitcat), presented to the Diocesan Symod, states that "the first point to draw attention to is the balance to the good at the end of the financial year, 31st-Marcli, 1922, of £204 17s lOd, This at once suggests a very prosperous'state of affairs. But the actual prospect is that, unless conditions improve, the mission will find itself with a deficit at the end'of the present year, "There are two items of receipt,: perhaps three, amounting in all to £161 12s 10d, which, in the case of two of them,, will not recur, and in the case of the third cannot be counted on. The three items are £79 10s from the Williams Memorial Trust; £35.f0r services rendered to the Wanganui parochial district by the assistant superintendent; and a. gift from the New Zealand Mission Trust Board of £47 2s lOd 'from surplus moneys.' Without these three fortuitous amounts, the balance would, have been only £43 ss, instead of £204 17s lOd.

"Then, it is necessary to press, home to the diocese the-persistent decline of the income during the last four years. The most serious loss is in subscriptions and donafione. In 1917 they were £196 Is 9d. This year only £86 17s 6d.' The special offertory, June, 1921, was £414 os. 3d—the largest ever given .in. this cause. Contributions through parishes show a. decline of some £46. In 1918 they were £241; this year, 1922, only £194. "' ,

"The Maori contributions are, £107 18s 4d, £27 5s lOd better than last year. And Synod must remember that the Maoris give much more' than this. These additional sums come to ; £221, which, with the contributions, make £328 18s 4d. : . .

"To the Williams Memorial Trust the mission is deeply imfebted for grants, maMng a total of £165 103. Also to the New Zealand Mission Trust Board for a 'contribution from I surplus moneys,1 £47 2s lOd. . '

"The estiniatedVexpenses for the current year are £1517 10s 6d, which is £242 more than the original estimate of last year. The work is growing, and growth_ of work demands an increase in expenditure."

The report concludes : "How can we, with only £1422, meet an estimate of £1517, which will no doubt: have to be increased as the year goes on? The answer is : 'Only by relying upon the deep interest the diocese always takes in this its essential mission.' It will not allow the_ financial .decline to continue. The mission should have at least £200 more contributed to it this- year than last. There is quickened life in the mission everywhere. The diocese will strengthen the hands of the superintendent by placing in the hands of the! Standing Committee the funds the work demands," , , ;•■■...