MUCH TO LEARN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 181, 2 August 1944, Page 4

MUCH TO LEARN

MEN BACK FROM WAR LAWYERS AND ACCOUNTANTS A formidable task in the study of new laws, regulations, enactments and price orders issued in recent years confronts lawyers and accountants as they return from sen-ice overseas and prepare to resume the practice of their professions. They find much that is strange and unfamiliar and have much to learn before they acquire that complete and up-to-date working knowledge which is essential in the legal and, accountancy fields.

Far - reaching amendments in regard to taxation, restrictions imposed on business, industry, trade and employment, manpower provisions, price control, and the effects of a mass of wartime legislation demand their concentrated attention. In the case of accountants familiarity with current taxation requirements in relation to business is indispensable and men who have been away must acquire this knowledge before they are in a position to give satisfactory service. They have been astounded to discover the extent of the changes made in three or four 3'ears. In the practice of the law the difficulties of those who have been out of touch for some years are apparently even greater than those of accountants, for the laws of New Zealand, their amendments and interpretations are a voluminous series. Study Activities Anticipating the difficulties of returning men, the Society of Accountants and the New Zealand Law Society have both been active, planning' refresher courses and assisting in the rehabilitation of men in civilian life. The main problem, however, is in the future, as the numbers so far requiring help have been small compared with the total of men who joined up. A limited number of returned men in the accountancy profession in Auckland have been attending discussion groups held once a month, when prepared papers have been read, followed by a round-table talk. It was stated to-day that these discussions could be developed to any extent required.

Some hundreds of accountants from Auckland city and suburbs, mostly young men, were among those who went overseas, and there were many others from the province. Two-thirds of the total would have been in the employ of commercial firms and the remaining third in private practice. The majority would probably need the support _ and encouragement of their professional organisations during the settling down period, it was said.

Among lawyers, probably several dozen who went from Auckland were in private practice, and there were many more employed as law clerks. Some men had had to close down their practices and would have nothing to come back to. Others could resume partnerships which were interrupted, while a number would perhaos be helped by personal friends who lad been watching their interests as far as possible while they were away. The clerks so far as education was concerned would be . the responsibility of iheJJnissersiQi.