COMMERCIAL ACCOUNTANTS AND THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3161, 13 August 1917, Page 6

COMMERCIAL ACCOUNTANTS AND THE WAR

Sir,—Tour correspondent writing under ' the non do plume "Commercial Accountant" takes a quite exaggerated view of the importance to the country of the work lie and his fellows are engaged in. I concede that it is good and important work, but is it better or more important than that performed 'by' the man who is a' (primary producer—the farmer or skilled farm manager? Both these have in hundreds volunteered,' and later been drawn in the ballot for service at the front, and yet their work goes on; and even if it does not all go on, we must as part of the Empire at war mal:e fome sacrifice. To contend that our commercial system will be "practically dislocated and disorganised" if employees in various merchant officis. be they managers, accountants, shipping clerks, or engaged in other work, is too far-fetched. Does. "Commercial Accountant" realise that there are hundreds of mer. in the Dominion with wide experience, many practising as public accountants, other only partly occupied, who could step into the t breach and carry on all the work he writes about?.' Does lie contend that business in connection with farmers' ac■counts, produce 6ales, shipping, and such like is so very complicated and intricate that it cannot be taken up and successfully dealt with by men of wide business experience who are not at the moment actually. engaged in such work? As a member of the New Zealand Accountants' Society • I certainly trust the society will not oass any such tion as "Commercial Accountant" migi gests. . ■ Respecting the "professional accountant" to whom your correspondent' lefere, I question his definition of "private practice": "public practice" is the correct term for those who are in public practice, and who are liable to be called on at any moment to take up a ease Jn which intricate questions of commercial or company law is concerned, and in which large interests are involved. A public accountant is not by any means only an "auditor and secretary." Many engaged in the Dominion are men of wide and varied experience, many (with exnerience outside the limited scope of th's Dominion. I agree with your corresnondent s desire expressed in his words "by all m<>nns let us do our duty to humanity." That duty cannot, however, be done if we take a too exaggerated view of our value in any position, be it in an office as manager, accountant, or in other capacity, or in any occupation in town or country. Th»re is no one who is absolutely essential. What is desirable is organisation—efficiency—obtained from each available man in the Dominion doinrr.the best he is capable of. with a broad-minded consideration of how this can best bo effected.—l am. etc., PTinLTO ACCOUNTANT. Wellington, August 10, 1917.