UNDERPAID CLERGY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13334, 24 March 1911, Page 7

UNDERPAID CLERGY.

COMPLAINT ,BY METHODISTS. Consideration was given by the Methodist Conference in Adelaide, last wet.., to the question of raising the stipends of ministers. Rev. A. J. Finch moved that the disposal of the marriage foes be continued as at present, and that the minimum stipend be increased from £2OO to £223 a year, and of ministers on probation from £l2O to £l3O. ' The Rev. Q. Lake expressed the opinion that church ministers were the worst paid men in the community. Voices—No! ir - Mr Lake—l do not get an artisan’s pay, blit I cannot live like an artisan. I have to keep my house open. Surely we ought to be allowed to retain the marriage fees. The ministers never received any perquisites. AATicn they visited other districts for anniversary celebrations and wave lectures, they were sometimes out of pocket over it. . The Rev. Charles'-Mar-tin said that in all the States except 'Victoria and South Australia the marriage fees went entirely to the minister. ■ The motion was carried by a Targe majority. .The-marriage tecs, as formerly, will continue to pass into the circuit funds. In many circuits the previous minimum of £2OO had becomp the maximum, and the increase of the minimum by’ 1 £2O will bo greatly appreciated.'