CHURCH FINANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20111, 23 November 1928, Page 15

CHURCH FINANCE.

CONTRIBUTIONS INCREASE.

PENSION FOR THE TREASURER.

ASSEMBLY REJECTS PROPOSAL

"Tliero is no need for retrenchment or for withdrawal from any branch of church work," slates tho annual report of the llov. W. J. Comrie, treasurer of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. "There is need for constant watchfulness to see that tho expenditure is warranted, and that it is nut allowed to increase boyond tho normal growth of contributions." The report, which was presented to the General Assembly yesterday by Mr. A. D. Thomson, convener of the finance committee, stated:—"The income of the funds generally shows an increase over that for tho provious year. Congregations havo contributed for missions and other schemes of tho Church, including assess mollis, but excluding tho special appeals for Indian industrial woik and for the Maori Girls' School Building Fund, tho sum of £42,396. Compared with the previous year, and excluding the special appeal for Jubilee Scholarship Fund, that is an increase of £4598. From congregational contributionr and sundry contributors, tho income for tho budget funds was over .99 po>\ cent, of tho amount asked for." Mr. Thomson said tho amount asked for from congregations had been £35,000, or slightly less than the previous year. Tho amount asked for Assembly expenses for tho current year showed an increase of £2OO. 'lho finance committee recommended that tho retiring general treasurer, the Rev. VV. J. Comrie, should bo granted six months' leave of absence and a retiring allowatico of £l5O a year in rccognition of his 23 years' servico in tho position.

The grant of tho retiring allowance was opposed by the Revs. J. D. Smith and W. McLean, on the ground that it would bo establishing a precedent and giving specially favourable treatment that could not be extended to others in somewhat similar positions.

It was decided by a large majority not to grant the proposed allowance.