THE BISHOP'S CHARGE.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume XXI, Issue 15, 1 November 1931, Page 1

THE BISHOP'S CHARGE.

[We regret that, owing to the necessity for keeping down printing expenses, we cannot give in full the Bishop's Charge to Synod. — Ed.] The Present Position of the Diocese. -This is not the place to give a detailed list of the damage suffered through the earthquake — it is enough to say that the loss of Church property amounted to approximately £100,000; to this must be added a heavy fall in revenue due to the private losses of Church people. There is no suggestion of attempting to raise money to meet this loss in full; but Standing Committee has collected information from the Parishes affected, and finds that about £18,000 will be necessary to enable the Diocese and the Parishes to function adequately. The sum named is to cover necessary work, comprised in a schedule which was carefully scrutinised by Standing Committee. We have received much sympathy and practical help from the other Dioceses in New Zealand, from the Dioceso of Sydney, from America, and elsewhere, and subscriptions are still coming from England, where the Archbishop of Canterbury has recently issued an appeal on our behalf. A full statement of the Earthquake Funds will be put before Synod. We are most grateful to all our benefactors, but I would like particularly to mention the prompt help given by the Diocese of Nelson, which had recently itself suffered from earthquake, and subscriptions received from the Missionaries in North China, from the Native Scholars of All Hallows' School at Pawa, in the Solomon Islands, also from Sunday School children at Tauranga and at Tararu, Thames. The thanks of the Diocese are due also to Bishop Sedgwick for his

thoughtful kindness in remitting the amount due to him as pension from the Diocese. In the meantime advances by way of loan are being made for what may be needed by any Parish for work included in the schedule; but I hope that Synod — having the full representation — will decide that the Diocese should undertake the repayment of the loan and that no Parish will be expected to be solely responsible for the repair of the damage it has suffered. In a time of stress such as th'is special efforts must be made, and in those efforts the Diocese should stand together. The idea of equality of sacrifice is being much stressed at present in regard to national finance; but what is usually in the minds of the users of the term is adjustment of burden. Sacrifice strictly means 1 the voluntary surrender of some valued right or possession, and cannot properly be applied to the assessment of taxes. Equality of sacrifice is, however, a high ideal to set before ourselves in the matter of Church finance. Voluntary- donations are of the essence of our finance, and it will only be by the voluntary surrender of some of our legitimate pleasures and conveniences, that we shall be able to maintain the support of our Churches throughout the Diocese, and to assist in the repair of damage done in the earthquake area. The Cathedral. — With regard to reconstruction of buildings, it will, I suppose, be clear to every one that this building in which we are met is not intended to replace the Cathedral. It is definitely considered to be a temporary structure to serve as a Church until we are in a position to rebuild the Cathedral. It has been suggested that, when the time comes to do this, the work should be undertaken by the whole Diocese, and not by the Parish. The suggestion has much to commend

it; and if it should be adopted it would seem to be right that the maintenance of the fabric should also be the duty of the Diocese leaving to Che Parish the care of the building exclusive of structural repairs and alterations. These is, unfortunately, no pressing need for a decision on this point in the immediate future; but I mention it now in order that it may be carefully thought over before we take action. Church Army.— ln the period after the earthquake, when a large portion of the population of Napier was concentrated in camps, various organisations were active in endeavouring to make the position as comfortable as possible. Captain Squires was working in conjunction with the Y.M.C.A., and rendered very good service. It was not long before the camp beyond Wairoa where he had been working was officially closed, and I decided in the meantime to retain him in Napier. He presently, in response to many applications, secured a Home where he has been providing meals and beds for those really in need. He has in this work received valuable support from members of Toe H. and others. Though the railway camps have been closed, there is still much P.W.D. work going on in various parts of the Diocese, and in order to cope with this I authorised Captain Squires to go Home and place the position before Headquarters of the Church Army. He has now returned with another officer, Captain Wright, whose salary is being paid for one year by the Army. The work of the Army Captains at the Home, in connection with Police Court work and elsewhere, has, I am glad to say, established them in the confidence of the community. Conclusion. — There is, unfortunately, no denying the fact that we are brought face to face with a very grave state of affairs. It is always a thank-

Jess task to have to effect drastic economies — but the task may be lightened if undertaken in the right spirit. The cheerful and ready adoption of the principle of equality of sacrifice is the only alternative to the acceptance of burdens imposed upon us by an inexorable necessity. But I am lull of hope — and trust that our very misfortunes and difficulties will result in a full development of the sense of the corporate unity of the Church; that in looking to the needs of others, each Parish and District may find its own troubles solved, and that the Diocese may find itself able to develop the work of the Church — not forgetting her support of foreign Missions. Appeals for the undertaking of new work are still coming in. But, like everyone else, we have a shrinking income. Rents and interest on investments are much in arrears, so that our endowments are not earning their lull income; subscriptions are falling away sadly. We cannot impose taxes to meet our needs; Synod will therelore have to decide what is to be done. It is cheering to be able to report in closing that one Parochial District finds its financial position better than last year, and that in the accounts of the year there is included a sum of £500 handed to me by an anonymous donor for the benefit of the Waiapu "Wiomen Workers' Pension Fund.