PARISHES IN DEBT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21540, 11 July 1933, Page 10

PARISHES IN DEBT

THE WAIKATO DIOCESE STEPS FOR REDUCTION DISCUSSION BY SYNOD [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] HAMILTON, Monday Means of reducing tho debts of parishes in tho Waikato Diocese, amounting to £13,071, wero discussed by tho Waikato Synod to-day, when tho .Rev. 11. J. Boyfc, of Frankton, moved that synod should investigate thoroughly tho difficult circumstances of tho six heavily-indobted parochial districts of tho diocese, with a view to taking action along the lines suggested by tho bishop in his charge, or in any direction it saw fit, to alleviate the financial strain placed upon such parochial districts. Mr. Boyt said Frankton's debt stood at £3150. In 1029 the parish enlarged tho church, built a hall, and acquired a vicarage at a total cost of £4700 In 1929 the debt still stood nt £'lo6o. In the last four years tho debt had been reduced to £3450. During tho period of tho debt no less than £2506 had been paid in interest. Tho interest bill was at first £3OO a year, but was now £IBO. Groat Efforts Made

The Frankton people, said Mr. Boyt, had acted most heroically in supporting the efforts made to reduco tho debt, but there was a danger that the continuation of tho effort would have a deadening effect on tho spiritual life of tho parish. Mr. Boyt referred to tho bishop's suggestion that the wealthier parishes should "adopt" tho poorer ones and help them to liquidate their debts. This, he said, was hardly practicable, as the wealthier parishes mentioned had heavy debts of their own. Ho did not know how tho second suggestion, that someone should go to England and raise the money there, would appeal to synod. Mr. Boyt suggested that provision bo made by the diocese to see that tho debt on a parish was automatically reduced every year. If the parish concerned was not able to do it, tho diocese should seo to the itiatter by including in its Home Mission quotas to parishes, an amount likely to cover what was required by the districts in debt. Commission Suggested Canon C. E. Newbould seconded the motion. Ho suggested that a commission bo set up to investigato the position of the parish debts.

Mr. T. C. Fookes suggested iihat Canon J. L. A. Kayll be appointed an organiser to canvass tho districts and endeavour to raise the necessary funds. The llev. G. G. Bell said lie thought there had been too much haste in tho past in turning homo mission districts into parochial districts, and that obligations were undertaken that since had been found to be excessive.

Bishop Cherrington said he had hoped synod would have put forward some helpful suggestions. Ho did not agree to the appointment of a paid organiser for tho reason that he did not know who would pay him. Tho parishes could not, and the dioceso could not. Ho doubted whether a paid organiser could do better work than was already being done by the parish officers.

Conditions in King Country Bishop Cherrington described tlie conditions in somo of tho King Country parishes and tho extreme difficulty that was now boing experienced, owing to the depression, in raising money for Church purposes. He pointed out that tho diocesan debt was negligible and that the Hamilton parish debt represented sound mortgages. The bishop said ho would do his best in Hamilton to help Frankton. Ho hoped to conduct a bazaar at which £IOOO to £I6OO might be raised. He also suggested that a "bishop's fund" be inaugurated to liquidate somo of the debts in tho poorer parishes. It was finally decided to refor the subject to tho Standing Committee for consideration and action.