ARCHBISHOP'S OFFER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21253, 5 August 1932, Page 10

ARCHBISHOP'S OFFER

CHURCH'S APPRECIATION SACRIFICE NOT ACCEPTED DECISION OF COMMITTEE While appreciating tho generous offer of Archbishop Averill to give up the use of Bishopscourt and a largo part of his stipend, the standing committee of the Auckland Diocese has concluded that the acceptance of the sacrifice would not be in the best interests of the diocese or the province of New Zealand. The archbishop's offer was made, in view of the present economic distress and with the special object of assisting weaker parishes and preventing the financial collapse of the Church's Maori mission. The archbishop suggested (1) ihat he should give up Bishopscourt and live in a small house, and (2) that he should surrender one-third of liis stipend .when he left Bishopscourt, and ctie-half as soon as ho could see his way to do so in view of his present commitments —probably in six or nine months' time. , _ The current issue of the Church Gazette states:—"The archbishop's offer was referred to a special committee of the standing committee. This sub-commit-tee reported to the last meeting. After placing on record its sincere and grateful appreciation of the archbishop's generous offer, it advised standing committee that in the best interests of the diocese and of the province, and in view of the extra strain which would be placed on both the Archbishop and Mrs. Averill, if they resided out of Auckland, the proposal be not proceeded with. Standing committee adopted this report, and we are sure that tho diocese as a whole will feel that it. has taken the right course. "With regard to the reasons which prompted tho offer by the archbishop, very special consideration is being given both to poorer parishes and also to the Maori mission with a view to 'helping them all to come through these difficulties. All will feel that the present is a time, if ever there was one, when Christians must 'bear one another's burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ.' "