ANGLICAN CHURCH EXPENDITURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9213, 16 November 1888, Page 3

ANGLICAN CHURCH EXPENDITURE.

TO THE EDITOR. • Sir,l was very pleased to see by this morning's sub-leader that you are taking an interest in the doings of the Anglican Synod, now assembled at Bishopscourt. I agree with you that there is too much discussion of the " filthy lucre" side of church management, and too little appreciation of the spiritual needs of the poor laity, who pay the piper. It seems to me that the most, deserving and hard-working portion of the clergy—l mean those in country districts— very badly treated in the matter of pecuniary assistance, and I am grieved to see by the Home Mission report that the grants have had to be reduced all round. Now, I hope to live to see the day when clerical salaries will be equalised. I don't see why the city parsons should luxuriate in clover witn salaries double and treble those of their poor country brothers, who seem to get all the kicks and very few of the halfpence. Now, I have a proposal to make that will hurt nobody, and will add considerably to the comfort of the above harshly-treated body of men. In reading over the yearly balance-sheets lent me by a member of the Synod who sympathises with my views, I was struck by the steadily-recurring item on the expenses side of the various trusts, of secretary, office expenses, rent, etc. Now these items total up to the respectable sum of £861. Surely this is a large amount to pay for the amount of work represented by the balance-sheets, and the rent of a office in these depressed times cannot be more than a few shillings per week. Of course, if each trust employs a separate secre.\a-ry and has a separate office I can understand the expenditure. Now I would suggest t.'wfc the various trusts be concentrated in oii« office under the direction of one of the town clergy, with an efficient clerk at say a-year. The clergyman might receive £3.00, and another £100 would amply provide rent and all other office expenses. Here at once is a saving of £.500, which in grants of £50 each would delight the hearts of ten poor _ country parsons. Of course, the £100 paid to the clergyman would relieve one of the poor town parishes to that extent in providing stipend. I know several of the town clergy could do the work well, and would feel better for the extra employment.l am, &e., Anglican.