PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160814, 23 November 1920, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

MINISTERS’ SALARIES. (Per United Press Association.) ■ WELLINGTON, Nov. 23. Tlie Presbyterian , General Assembly received the report of the Sustentation Fund Committee, in connection with which Professor Davies said there were 251 sanctioned charges in’ New Zealand. Out of these, 161 were paying their ministers under £3OO per annum, 33 were paying less than £2OO a-year, 52 were paying less than £225, and 130 were paying underi £250. It was necessary, in order.to pay every minister a minimum stipend of £3OO to find a sum of £IO,OOO. He moved the following deliverance: : (1) That in view of the serious state of affairs owing to the high cost v of living, definite steps be taken at once to secure a minimum stipend of £3OO per annum for all sanctioned charges. (2) In order to secure this Presbyteries be instructed to visit every charge within their boundaries at an early date, placing the question of the maintenance of the ministry before the congregation. (3/ That the Committee be empowered in cases of special hardship to bring up the stipend to £3OO by means of especial grants. , (4) This being an emergency scheme the Committee be empowered to appeal for financial support (a) to stronger congregations, and (b) to individual members of the church. Professor Davies concluded by remarking that the proposal this year was an emergency one, but next year it must become the definite and final policy of the church that the minimum stipends of ministers should be £3OO a year. The deliverance was adopted, and a committee set up to give effect to its terms. HOME MISSIONS SUPERINTENDENT’.

On the recommendation of the Home Missions Committee, it was • decided—• (1) That a superintendent of Home Missions be appointed by the Assembly at a salary of £SOO, with house allowance and travelling expenses. (2) That henceforth the work of the augmentation of sanctioned charges be separated from Home Mission work. (3) That the superintendent work .under the direction of the Home' Missions Committee. _ (4) That the Rev. George Budd be appointed superintendent. (5) That the Rev. D. D. Scott be convener of the Home Mission Committee. (6) That Rev. G. Budd have a seat on the Auckland Presbytery. The Assembly unanimously a resolution of hearty appreciation of the services rendered by Dr J. Gibb during the thirteen years in which he had acted as convener of the Home Missions Committee. . The Rev. Budd having agreed to accept the office of Home Missions superintendent, the Assembly decided to dissolve the pastoral tie between Mr , Budd and the Devonport congregation as from January 31st next.