MAORI CLERGY

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21155, 3 July 1940, Page 9

MAORI CLERGY

NEED IN WAIKATO DIOCESE MISSION FUND | CHURCH FINANCE FOR YEAR The unfortunate position that there were not more Maori priests available to take charge of the very scattered districts throughout the Waikato Diocese was mentioned by the Standing Committee in its report submitted yesterday to the annual Synod of the diocese, which met in Hamilton. The Bishop of Waikato, the Rt. Rev. C. A. Cherrington, presided. The committee had, however, inaugurated a scheme of co-opera-tion with the vicars of the parishes and parochial districts in taking charge of the Maori work in their respective areas. With this end in view small grants had been made towards travelling expenses in connection with this work. The present surplus in the Maoris Mission account was due to the fact that the scheme had been started late in the financial year. With a full year’s grants ahead all the available funds would meet this added expenditure. A very efficient Maori lady worker hoped to join the staff of the Maori mission in the near future. Once again the response to the appeal for funds for the Maori Mission had been splendid. Grants For Stipends The committee reported that it had been able to meet all grants for the past year, thereby assisting the poorer parishes in maintaining their positions, and at the same time it had made some small grants towards the stipends. of assistant curates. There was a small credit balance in the grants account, but this was due to the fact that several of the grants were only for a part of the year. With the grants for a full year the committee would require the full income from the quotas accepted bv the parishes. Continuing, the committee reported that the Diocesan Magazine continued to fulfil its useful function of circulating diocesan news to all parts of the diocese and at the same time providing interesting notes on other dioceses and matters relating to the church as a whole. It was regretted that a greater number of parishes did not take advantage of the magazine for publishing notes of parish activities. General Finances Good The various accounts showed that the Diocesan finance in general was in quite good order and that the income from the various trusts had been maintained on a sound basis. All allocations from the Taranaki Trusts showed slight increases, but the income from the New Zealand Mission Trust Board, for work among the Maoris, showed a considerable falling off. This might be rectified when the commission had completed its deliberations, dealing with the allocation of the income from the various properties and investments under the control of the New Zealand Mission Trust Board. The figures in the balance sheet showed an increase of approximately £35 in the amounts owing by vestries for Diocesan assessments but, on the other hand, most of the accounts under the control of the committee showed credit balances. In view of the fact that the Administration Account was in credit, the committee made the recommendation to Synod that the incoming committee should be requested to reduce the administration expenses levy on the parishes for the coming year by 50 per cent. Parish finance in general showed quite a sound position. Although many country parishes were finding difficulty in meeting commitments, the committee hoped that the more fortunate parishes would contribute liberally to the Home Mission Fund so that grants in aid might be made on a more liberal basis.