MINISTERS' STIPENDS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 381, 16 November 1932, Page 6

MINISTERS' STIPENDS

CLERGY NOT CONCERNED WITH PROPOSAL OF FLAT RATE ALLOWANCE. PRINCIPLE ALREADY FOLLOWED Declaring that the scheme was not workable, Christchurch Presbytoerian ministers are not inclined to take very seriously a proposal that stipends of ministers should be at a flat rate with allowanee to married men according to size of family. The North' Auckland Presbytery decided at its quarterly meeting to suggest to the General Assembly that stipends be paid on this basis, the mover of the overture being the Rev. D. M. Martin, of Kaitaia, and formerly of Christchurch. Mr. Martin contended that the present method of fixing salaries was not in keeping with Christian principles. "It is not workable: it is ridiculous," said the Rev. T.'Patterson. He pointed out .that ministers in towns needed bigger salaries because they had to maintain their social position. "The principle of the Presbyterian Church is that we bear one another's burdens," said the Rev. T. W. Armour. The poorer churches were helped by the Sustentation Fund, into which' all congregations paid money, and in Southland and Otagq the salaries of all ministers were raised by allowances from the Synod funds. Every man in the Church received an adequate stipend. There was a standard minimum stipend of £300, reduced somewhat because of the depression, and in addition every minister was provided with a free manse. Larger congregations had the right to supplem'ent their minimum salary, and salaries at present ranged from th'e minimum up to about £800 a year. "That is a stupid sort of motion. isn't it," said the Moderator of the Christchurch Presbytery (the Rev. J. A. Allan).