MEETING OF ACCOUNTANTS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13546, 6 October 1909, Page 8

MEETING OF ACCOUNTANTS.

THE COUNCIL FXECTIONS

A meeting of Christchurch accountants was held in the Chamber of Commerce Hall last evening, when there was a very largo attendance. Mx F. E. Jones was voted to the chnir. The object of the meeting was to discuss the nominations for seats on the Council of th© New Zealand Society of Accountants.

The Chairman said that a great many accountants had given expression to the opinion that the method of election to the Council was disorganised. The system might work out so that only one candidate would be appointed by Christchurch. There was also some doubt about the powers of the Council.

A motion inviting the candidates for the Council to address the meeting was agreed to.

Mr R. 0. Duncan said that he had no desire to make an election speech. He had had five years' experience' on the Council. He thought that tne Council would have to revise work done iv the past by the Institute.

Mr G. W. Hulnie thought that ne~v work for the Board should be the drawing up of a standard examination. Jt should also frame a scale of fees, having regard to the various classes of accountancy work. Mr W. E. Best said that he had been nominated in the interests of the commercial accountants. Hβ thought it very necessary that a scale of fees should be fixed, especially on behalf ot the public accountant. The standard ot examination should Be such as to command the respect of the community and other accountancy bodies.

Mr F. H. Labatt, who was not present, had sent a statement of his views, and that was read to the meeting. Hβ supported the institution of a benevolent fund, and the establishment of libraries containing text books and magazines of interest to the profession. Mr R. H. Modlin said that he did not feel inclined to give any pledges. He thought that the term of office of the Council should be three years. Mr R. Hill Fisher said in regard to the fees to be paid by members, he thought there might be a certain amount of elasticity about them. It was probable that the revenue of the Association would be over £2000 per year, and he suggested that that j>art of it might be ueed to provide annuities in the future.

Mr C. M. Ollivier eaiS that he was strongly of opinion that the Association fees tor registered accountants should be half-a-guinea, or even less, as they derived very little benefit from the Association.

Mr \V. A. Day said that members of the Council should keep members of the Society advised as to the business of the Council. He thought the establishment of local ceptres would be a good step, if it could be done without impairing efficiency. Fees for registered accountants should be kept down, but the Council might devise a workable scheme dealing with the whole question. Mr A. Wilson (Timaru) said that an Accountants' Society, had been formed in Timaru. They had decided it was advisable that a representative should be put on the Council to represent South Canterbury, and they thought that North Canterbury, where there were quite a number of nominations, would assist South Canterbury to get that representative elected. Hβ agreed that the fees for registered accountants should be kept at a small figure. A fee of £2 2s would be quite sufficient' for the public accountants. Mr T. G. Strange said that he did not think that accountants who hid had long experience should be debarred from being made public accountants if they could satisfy the Council of their efficiency in accountancy. They should not be embarrassed by the educational test as well as the ability test. After considerable, discussion the following motion was proposed by Mr K. Joosten, and seconded by Mr F. N. Meadows:—"That' t&e Council "be recommended l to appoint a committee to frame rules, to be submitted, to each member for consideration before being adopted; that the subscription be not more than one guinea for registered accountants, and not more than two guineas for puolic accountants." The first clause in the motion was lost, and the second was carried by a small majority. .

On the motion of Mr McKellar,-?t was resolved to request the Council to ascertain "what funds would' be necessary to establish a benevolent fund •on an actuarial basis.