ACCOUNTANT STUDENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 14035, 16 April 1909, Page 2

ACCOUNTANT STUDENTS.

The annual meeting of the Dunedin Accountant Students' Society was held in the Chamber of Commerce last evening, Mr James Brown (president) in the chair. The attendance was not good. In moving the adoption of the report (previously published), the President said that in so far as the syllabus and work generally of the society were concerned the year had been very successful, and he joined with the Committee in their expressions of appreciation. But while it was quite true that the work of the society last year was successful, and'must have been beneficial to those who attended, yet he must confess to a very strong feeling of disappointment at the indifference and apathy that had been displayed by a large section of the members. The attendance throughout the whole of the session was very small —the average, he thought, was twelve—which was not creditable. The indifference at the present time was most unaccountable, more especially when there was taken into consideration the existing circumstances in connection with accountancy matters in New Zealand. He would have thought that the interest of students would have been aroused, and that they would have been induced to take an increased interest in the work of the society. As they were aware, a new society had been created by parliamentary enactment, and during the last three months applications for enrolment of membership had come from every part of New Zealand and been lodged with the Registration Board in Wellington. It was quite true that when the registration was complete the 101 l would include quite a large number of men who could never have gained entrance to an accountancy society, but that was a feature which was common to the foundation of every new society, and was recognised by all accountants' who had advocated parliamentary recognition of the profession. In common'with other accountants, he hailed the advent of this societv with a great deal of satisfaction and pleasure. One of the advantages .that would accrue from its establishment would he the preventing of any possibility of the multiplication of accountancy institutes or societies, whicli had proved' so confusing in the Old Country. Then, again, the fact of this society having parliamentary recognition would make it one of the recognise".! institutions of the Dominion, and as such it would have a wider sphere and exercise a far greater iniluence on accountancy matters than any private institution could do. For that reason lie believed that it would not be long before accountancy as a profession would be recognised just as the other professions were. His icason for mentioning this new society was that, while accountants throughout Xe'w Zealand would succeed in gaining entrance whether entitled or not, for students there was onlv one possible door of entrance, and that was the door of examination; and that being the case, the indifference and apathy of students with regard to their society was the more surprising. The aim anil objects of the Accountant Students' Society were to assist students in the studv of accountancy for the especial purpose of enabling them to pass the examination. It had no other object, and if the society failed to interest students in that direction it failed lamentably and absolutely. Students must make up their minds to rally round the society and give it the support which it deserved. without which it was useless to carry on. It seemed .to him that in the not very far distant future legislation would be brought about to restrict the auditing of public companies to members of the new societv. and in that ease no accountant worth his salt could afford to remain outside. Concluding, the president said : " I earnestlv appeal to members here and those who are absent that they will not .allow this society to disband.—i Hear, hear.) It has the power within it of doing a «rcat amount of good. It has done a great amount of good in the past, and if It is only supported by its members as it should be, there is no doubt at all that it will continue- as a useful organisation. The field of accountancy in New Zealand presents an encouraging feature to all aspiring accountants. As one who has had considerable experience irt. Dunedin. I may say that the ranks are far from full; there is ample opportunity for competent men : and when this new society is formed and accountants come.to a realisation of the importance of the profession. I feel certain that a number who are at present neglecting the opportunities afforded them of passing the examination will bitterly regret their neglect." —(Applause.) The motion, seconded by Mr D. If. Rogers, was carried. The following officers were elected. Mr Brown declining re-election as president, but consenting to take the chair at meetings when desired::—President. Mr N. Moore; vice-presidents—Messrs A. 1). Spence, F. A. Webb, J. T. Martin, F. S. Mirams, P. Hercus : committee—Messrs J. Mooney, W. D. Anderson, A. H. Crawlev. D. H. Rogers,-A. Milne; auditor, Mr 11. D. Nimmo; treasurer. Mr E. Tamblvn.

The newly-elected officers expressed their determination to try to stir up interest in the society's work.