POVERTY OF CLERGY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19781, 31 October 1927, Page 9

POVERTY OF CLERGY.

CONDITIONS IN BRITAIN. SCHEME TO BRING RELIEF. (Receive ci October 30. 6.30 p.m.) g un . LONDON. Oct. 29 The condition ot the poverty-stricken clergy in Britain may be gauged from a report to the special Clergy Commission. It says the clergy are growing ■ poorer The income of over 200 incumbents does not reach £2OO a year. All additional relief is neutralised by the depreciated values, and the higher cost of com modifies Incomes as a whole are 16.2 per cent, less than in 1910, and are frequently lower still. The commission suggests standardising the sizes of vicarages in proportion to the income and benefices. They are at present too large. The ill-designed and ill equipped houses, which are surrounded by large grounds, are a fruitful cause of embarrassment. The commission advocates the establishment of a Maintenance Committee to co-operate in an effort to secure a fixed income -ml t safeguard the interest of the clergy, and to give attention to the length ot service and the difficulties of married men -with children."