ACCOUNTANCY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 899, 19 August 1910, Page 7

ACCOUNTANCY.

ANNUAL MEETING OF-NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY.

Mr. I'eter Barr (president) presided at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Society of Accountants held in the rooms of the, Australasian Institute- of Marine! Engineers -'on III};. ' ' ■' In the course of a: most interesting address, the president made reference to the recent legislation ; passed .affecting, accountants, and stated that the subject had created a very wide and intense Interest in tlio profession, hi clear, concise terhia, Mr. Barr outlined the history of the suciety, and paid a line tribute to those by whose efforts it had been placed on its present solid basis. Referring to the Registration board, the president expressed the; dissatisfaction following its, decision as to the admission, to membership. An admission of 211 C on', of 2M7 applications (or over 90 per cent.), clearly showed that the standard set by the board was not very high, or, if so, was not acted upon..'lt was regrettable that many men were admitted who .wero unable to produce- satisfactory evidence uf capacity, and, what was . more . regrettable still, some,were rejected whose qualifications and experience should certainly have entitled them to acceptance. He felt bound . ' to admit that many of the severest critics of the board seemed to completely underestimate the enormous work involved in sifting out over 2300 applications, with piles of testimonials attached to them. 'J?l(u final work, however, was done too hurriedly. The Incorporated Institute could point with pride that of its 337 members 280 were examined men. He remarked tiiat the board and its work had been severely criticised by the "London Accountant," which dscribed the Act as "a fatuous piece of legislation." New Zealand conditions wero, however, quite different from those at Home. He advised, .'however, that it was time to cease complaining of the board and its standard of admissions, and turn their faces to the future. The society had come to stay, and it was not the duty of members to belittle it, but to join hands in making it the Hiiccess that it was quite capable of becoming under united anil disinterested guidance.

L'ei'manent arrangements for examinations would have to be considered and another matter to be dealt with was thu classification of members into public and registered accountants, and the two degrees of fellows uud associates. He appealed for a broad spirit of unity imiougsl members, and cuncluded by moving the adoption of the report and balarico-sheet.

Iho motion was seconded by Mr. Jl. C. Tewsley (vice-hresuleut), who complimented the president on his comprehensive address. The work- in connection with the preparation of the first report had been strenuous. Only the broadestminded and most capable men should be electod to the council, and once appointed they should be supported by the whole-hearted confidence of the members. He commended to the members the motto —"Semper et übiquo fidchs." Mr. 'i'ewsloy also spoke in terms of this' warmest commendation of the ability of the president and secretary (Jlr. E.. AV. Hunt). • After discussion, the report and bal-ance-sheet were adopted. Mr. Leigh Hunt moved—"That it is ''esirable that an amendment- to Alio Companies Act, 1908, be mado to provide chat any member of the New Zealand Society of Accountants shall bo eligible, •mil that no person other than a member of the said society shall be eligible lo perform the audit of, or accept the posi•ion of auditor to any company registered under the said Act (excepting such us aro registered as private companies) ur under any other Act of Parliament for the time being in force, which provides for the audit of the accounts of any corporation, company, or public body, and nat the council be requested to tako all n'ecossary steps to ensure the passing of the above amendment at as early a date as possible." The motion was declared lost by two hundred votes.

At a meeting of Hie socictv Held yestcnlny, Sir. I'otor Barr (Dunedin) was reelected president, Hi'. 11. C. Towsley (Wellington) . vice-president, and Mr. ■film S. Barton (Wellington) treasurer. Mr. A. T. Clarke (Wellington) .was appointed to act as treasurer Muring tho absence from the Dominion of Mr..Barton. Mr. K. W. Hunt is the permanent secretary of the society.