ACCOUNTANTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 51, 28 August 1913, Page 4

ACCOUNTANTS

ANNUAL MEETING NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. Some forty members attended the annual meeting of the New Zeala-nd Society of Accountants which, was held last night. Mr. P. Barr presided. In moving the adoption of the annual report, a precis of which has previously been published, the Chairman aaid that, although the society had not done all that some might have expected of it, there was ample evidence of activity. Regarding the net decrease of 109 in the membership of the society, he believed that the report was right in sa-y-ing that the position was neither unexpected nor discouraging. Very few of the defections were of examined men, practically all being men who had applied for admission at the initiation of the society, under some misapprehension as to its usefulness to themselves. It was his belief that the great majority of those who intended to drop out in this way had done so. All would be glad when the only alteration to the society's rolls, except for removals, would be the steady addition to its ranks of those who passed in through the doorway of examination. Incidentally the President said that he fully appreciated the fact that many of the society's non-examined men were as good aad valuable members a* any whe had passed examinations. The finances were fairly satisfactory. The accumulated fund had reached the total of £2954. ; Commenting on the large increase in the number of candidates for examinations, the speaker said that for the second time the society had easily established an Australasian record in this connection. A WIDER OUTLOOK. Regarding University lectures the speaker said that be had heard that the advantages provided students in the northern colleges, at heavy cOst, were not being utilised by students to quite the extent that might have been expected In Otago the classes were in a nourishing condition. Indications pointed to the fact that commerce and accountancy had entered into the Uni- I versity to stay as a, prominent part of New Zealand's higher educational system. The accduntant of the future would aspire to the life and wider outlook of the University-trained man Touching on University Councils, Mr. Barr reiterated his suggestion that provision should be made for representation of the society on the University Councils. He had heard no. reason why this body should not ha.ye what had been granted to other bodies not having the same connection with tlie University as the society had. He understood, however, that in the "schemes for reconstruction of the University of New Zealand" recently submitted to graduates, provision was made in at least one for the inclusion of a representative of the society on the Senate. The president then went on to point out that the society had in addition to its own immediate affairs devoted some time and care to matters affecting the welfare of the^ business and mercantile community. For instance, definite action had been taken in connection with such important matters as the audit of friendly societies' accounts, the methods of the Customs dealing with cash refunds and with receipts for duty, and the probability of securing a uniform fire insurance proposal form. Meetings had also been held at Auckland, Dunedin, and other places to consider desirable alterations in the Bankruptcy Act. RELATIONS WITH GREAT BRITAIN. Referring to the fact that the chartered societies of accountants in Britain | had not found it possible under their regulations to meet this society in the matter of reciprocity as regards membership and examination, he eaid, this, of course, was the result of the restricted constitution of these bodies in that they consisted exclusively of public accountants. It was impossible to adopt such a { constitution' in New Zealand, and if the penalty was to be that the Dominion Society could not be recognised by thase older and more august societies, the bo ciety jusfc had to submit with the best grace possible. The (society should congratulate iteelf upon the fact that there was a harmony both within its Tanks and between its members and other bodies of accountants in. the Dominion, ■which certainly did not appear to exist in the older countries. The securing of legislation for the accountancy profession in Great Britain appeared to be about as far off as ever. Mr. James Brown (Dunedin)- seconded thfe motion, which was carried unanimously, after a discussion, in which Mr. Jack (Wellington) said that the question of an amendment to the Bankruptcy Act, a vital matter, might engage the attention,'of the council. OFFICERS ELECTED. The retiring members of the council, Messrs. W. E. Best (Canterbury), A. T. Clarke (Wellington), W. Green (Otago), E. C. Leary (Southland), and L. M. L. Monteath (Taranaki) were all reported to be Te-elected, and Mr. H. C. Tewsley (Auckland) wa© elected in place of Mr. W. W. Btuco (Auckland), who did not stand for reelection. Messrs. E. R. M. Dymock and James Kellow were declared re-elected auditors,