PRIESTS AT LABOUR

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6451, 24 February 1908, Page 8

PRIESTS AT LABOUR

DIVERSE OCCUPATIONS. : THE FRENCH EVICTIONS. Under the law separating Church anc State a certain number of priests hav« been reduced to take up manual occupa tioiis to eke out the stipend derived from voluntary contributions. Mauj have started breeding birds, poultry,, or rabbito, while one breeds edible snails. Another already has some reputation, for fruit preserving., A largo number of priests have turned to manual labour. One manufactures bicycles and sewing machines, one is a. turner, and one makes acetylene retorts. One of the meet popular professions is that of watchmaking, A dozen knit stockings and vests. Some are bookbinders or photographers. There is ir locksmith, an envelope maker, on artist, a sculptor, a printer, and a maker oi visiting cards, Tho working priests have formed an alliance for the defence of their interests» a ad a newspaper started by them, entitled Trait do Union/' is published at Blace, in the department of the Rhone. Since the separation of Church and State tho monopoly of the undertaking business has been transferred to tho Paris municipal authorities instead of being held by the vestries. Precautions are being taken to prevent any infringement of the monopoly, and a system of reward has been adopted for informers notifying the municipality if private funeral agencies hire draperies other than the mortuary accessories Tho city holds in reserve a stock of 10,000 coffins. Of these 8600 are dealwood for poor persons, 129 arc of varnished oak, seven are of mahogany and eight ebony. The remainder are in various styles, including some which eccentric citizens have had made in advance for themselves according to their own designs.