TITHE REDEMPTION.
[To THE EDITOR Or THE " SPZCTATOR."]
Sza,—Any one concerned with the collection of tithe will agree as to the desirability of redemption, but your correspondent " A Layman in Khaki's " suggested method of redemption is both misleading and unfair. (1) As regards his so-called clerical war profit of 30 per cent. It is true there has been a rise of late in the value of £100 of rent charge, but this followed an thirty sera of great depression, the average value of £100 of charge from 1837 to 1883 being £100 16s. 11 d. The great fall in value experienced since the latter year has fallen more especially on the rural clergy, and though there be a few incumbents who are "overpaid and underworked," in the 'vast majority of so-called livings the stipend is not sufficient to maintain a clergyman and his family in decency, and their poverty is a disgrace to the Church and their parishioners whom they loyally and faithfully serve. (2) Any grievance the non-occupying tithe-payer has is the fault of a weak Government who in 1893, in consequence of tithe riots in Wales, transferred the burden from the occupier to the owner of the lands charged. (3) The fact that the tithe-payer does not "hold" with the incumbent is entirely beside the mark. He has in almost every case acquired his property with the charge upon it, and if by purchase no doubt took it into consideration in fixing the price be was prepared to pay for the property. Your corre- spondent's premisses being faulty affect his deductions. The cost and method of redemption are settled by the Act. The incumbent does not receive the money, which is paid to.Qneen Anne's Bounty, who allow the incumbent interest on the amount (now only 41 per
Tower House, Kcighley.
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