THE COST OF LIVING BONUS
Sir, —When a cost of living: bonus Is decided upon it should be made applicable to everybody. Business firms and others will not pay unless it is compulsory. While the greater number will obtain the latest 5 per cent bonus, there are several sections that will not benefit. I refer in particular to ministers of religion. Here we have a body of men who cannot very well ask for an increase, but are penalise'd by. the thoughtless attitude of their congregations. I suppose the average clergyman is lucky to get £3OO a year or slightly under £6 a week. On the assumption that he gets £6 a week he has to pay the 2s 6d tax, which reduces his salary to £5 ss. On this he has to maintain a high standard of respectability, bring up and' educate his family, and entertain. The whole position is definitely unfair. I wonder how many congregations have decided to increase their minister’s salary by 5 per cent, with the same promptitude as that with which v they accepted the offer of the ministers to take a reduction of 10 per cent.; at the time of the slump. It is not a fair thing to expect our ministers to preach about the love of God on an empty stomach. —I am, p’tc., Inasmuch.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Daily Times, Issue 24914, 13 May 1942, Page 8
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224THE COST OF LIVING BONUS Otago Daily Times, Issue 24914, 13 May 1942, Page 8
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