CLERICAL STIPENDS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20235, 21 October 1927, Page 7

CLERICAL STIPENDS.

EFFORT TO RAISE STANDARD. MINIMUM OF £350 SUGGESTED. (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, October 20. “ The question of stipends of the clergy has caused me much-uneasiness, and has, I fear, caused some of the clergy even more uneasiness during the past year,’’ said Archbishop Averill in addressing the second session of the twenty-fifth Anglican Diocesan Synod this morning. “If the clergy are to meet their financial obligations and be reasonably free from financial worries,” he added, ‘‘ the minimum stipend paid to a vicar, whether in a parish or a parochial distritt, should be £350. ‘ Quite impossible,’ some of us may be inclined to say. Perhaps it is with cur present lack of method, -but why not adopt some real or some better method? Again, I would urge the adoption of '.he duplex system as the best method. 1 am convinced that there’ are few parishes in this diocese, which, if properly worked, are unable to pay such stipend if they determine to do so.” At the present time, Dr Averill pointed out, there were many parochial districts relying on the central fund to subsidise contributions to stipends which should be independent of that fund. They nould realise the greater blessedness of giving than receiving. When the diocese adopted the system of paying stipends through the diocesan office, the only right system, and advancing the stipends for two months, it was never intended that this act of grace should be interpreted as permission for parishes to be two months in arrears, t was intended to ensure the prompt payment of stipends. “As a kindly-mten tioned act on the part of the diocese naa been so much misinterpreted it will be necessary for synod to consider .enouslv the advisability of bringing it to an end It mav be quite legitimate for stipends to be advanced for one month in special cases and in exceptional circumstances ; but in future each case should be dealt with on its merits.” . . , , , “ The question of raising the stipends of the Maori clergy is equally important, proceeded Dr Averill, “and steps ire being taken towards the accomplishment of this much-desired end. It must ue :e----membered that conditions have changed considerably in recent years in connection with status and training of the Jaon clergy. They now receive their training for the ministry with pakeha students and naturally become accustomed to the standard and mode of life nursued by the pakehas, and how can they be expected to live and do their work and possibly support a family upon a stipend of LLO per annum? It means inevitably getting into debt, and so lowering the spiritual standard of their work and influence. “ We have decided to make a venture of faith, and with the assistance ot the Maori people themselves to raise the stipends of all Maori priests to -150 per annum.” said Dr Averill, m conclusion •Tam hopeful that the Maoris m the more settled districts may be willing and able to increase the stipends still more.