LESSENED BALANCES

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 125, 23 November 1923, Page 10

LESSENED BALANCES

COMPLAINT BY PRESBYTERIAN

ASSEMBLY

REFORM IN NEW HEBRIDES.

CHRISTCHURCH" 022nd nNov. The Presbyterian General Assembly continued its sittings to-day. The treasurer, in the course of his financial statement, said : "For the third year in succession the congregational contributions are less than for the previous year. All the mission funds this year have lessened balances. The decline from the level of 1920 was to be expected, but that it should continue when the State revenue is improving is a little disquieting. There is no need for panic, but there is for prudence and for patient inquiry. Neither the cause nor the cure is likely to be found on the surface of things. A few facts regarding the expenditure should be faced. The increase in expenditure during recent years has been very much greater in proportion than the increase m membership. All the larger departments of church! work share in the increased expenditure. While it is generally admitted that the highest interests of the Church are bound up with the adequate support of ministers and of missions, a much larger proportion than tOTmerfy of the Church's money is devoted to other than these essential things. It may be that the Church has not laced the after-war situation as thoroughly as tha State did, and there may be room for economy without lessening efficiency. Every committee should be prepared to justify ita outlay, and especially any proposed additional expenditure and every outgoing for other than essential things should be carefully scrutinised.

Mr. Comrie, in moving the adoption of the report, urged the need for economy in the future. Mr. John Macgibbon (Gore) said that there was no need for pessimism, as the financial position .of the country was improving, and more money could be obtained for the Church if they went about it in the right way. "I quite agree with the treasurer when ha says we must go forward carefully," said Mr. ,W. Hopkirk (Wellington). "Don't be miserly," he added, 'but look at your money before you spend it. Further, don't allow your sentiments to go beyond your reason. Be economical, yet not pecunious." The report;was adopted. The Assembly passed a resolution empowering the Foreignl Mission Committee to take such steps as may be deemed wise to urge upon the authorities reform in the Government of the> New Hebrides.

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

The Bible-in-Sohools Committee reported aa follows -.—"The committee hoped to be able to report to this Assembly that our desires had been fully realised, and that our objective was gained, but owing to the nature of the results of the last general election the Prime 1 Minister has not seen his way clear to fulfil the promise made last year. However, Mr. L. M. Isitt has prepared a Bill embodying the platform of the United Conference of Churches, and applying it to both the State and Native schools. The representatives of the various churches have considered and endorsed the Bill, and it is hoped that it will be introduced and passed next session. It will be necessary to use all possible influence on members of Parliament to show them that there is a great mass of public opinion demanding that Bible teaching should no longer be left out of .our State system of education. It is also essential that all desiring some form of Bible teaching should stand firm to the programme embodied in Mr. Isitt's Bill, and bo not endanger the cause by divided counsels." The Assembly passed a resolution expressing approval of the principles of Bible teaching in schools embodied iv Mr. Isitt's Bill, expressing deep appreciation of the efforts of Mr. Isitt to carry into law the programme of Bible teaching adopted by the Bible Conference of Churches, and urging upon all ministers, office-bearers, and congregations to use their utmost influence when occasion arises to persuade members of Parliament to vote for the Bill.