PARSONS AND THEIR PAY

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 14 August 1919, Page 3

PARSONS AND THEIR PAY

Goldsmith's vicar, who .was ''passing rich with forty pounds a year," wouldn't find that income of much use to him if he lived in the 20th century, in New Zealand. Up to within a few days ago the minimum stipend paid to Anglican clergymen in "God's own Country," (in this province, anyhow), was £250, and pretty hard it must have been for these gentlemen to make both ends meet on a salary that many who toil with their hands would utterly despise. So the recent decision of the Anglican Synod in Auckland to raise the minimum parish stipend to £300, will be welcomed by those chiefly concerned. It has been jocularly suggested that parsons should form themselves into a Union and work under an award. Well journalists have done it, bank clerks have done it (or are going to do it), why not the clergy ?