ACCOUNTANTS’ MEETING

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 229, 27 August 1929, Page 3

ACCOUNTANTS’ MEETING

NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY. GATHERING IN DUNEDIN. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, Aug. 26. • The New Zealand Society of Accountants commenced its annual meeting today. The president (Mr James Hogg, of Dunedin) presided, and representatives were present from all parts of the Dominion. The delegates were extended a civic welcome by Mr 11. S. Black (Mayor of Dunedin). At a meeting of the council several applications for admission to membership, transfer of status, and re-admis-sion to membership were dealt with. The report of the sub-committee on the proposed amendments to the society’s examination syllabus was brought forward by Mr Best, who considered that the adoption of the recommendations of the report would go far towards making better accountants. A number of amendments were moved by Mr Seaman and agreed to, and after a general discussion the report as amended was adopted. The main alterations in the present syllabus were that bookkeeping should be divided into three subjects and taken in more easy stages so that the students would be more fully prepared for each stage. A discussion took place regarding economics on the recommendation that that paper should be raised to the B.A. degree standard. It was, howeyer, deemed advisable to leave the subject as at present, as it was considered that the B.A. standard was more than was required by the average accountant for examination purposes. Full consideration was given to a report of a committee on research, which was presented to the Wellington branch. After going into the question at considerable length, Mr Seaman moved: 1 ‘That if a research committee is appointed it be appointed from members of the New Zealand Society of Accountants and that the council does not approve of the appointment of a research officer.” The motion was seconded by Mr Best and carried. The council considered the question of acceptance for the purposes of the ■society’s membership of matriculation granted under the accrediting system adopted by the University of New Zealand. On the motion of Mr Reid, it was decided that the time had not yet arrived when this matter should bo considered. The benevolent fund board of control reported to the council as under; “The board acknowledges a grant from the society for the sum of £760, which was made by resolution at the last annual meeting of the society, which sunt has been added to the capital account, which at June 30, 1929, stood at £6250. In addition to tliis there is a credit to the income account of £942 15s Bd, bringing the total credit of the benevolent fund up to £7182 15s Bd. Applications have been considered during the year and relief has been granted to the extent of £430 2s. The annual charge for relief amounts to £539 10s.” The report was adopted. The report of a committee which had considered a remit from the Auckland branch that a Royal Charter be applied for was introduced by Mr Hunt. After dealing with the matter fully, the report stated: “On full consideration of the whole position we are of opinion that it would be inadvisable to take any steps to form a chartered body in New Zealand, but that the energies of the members of this society would be better directed towards the strengthening of the organisation of the New Zealand Society of Accountants.” The president thought that it would be dangerous to tamper with the present Act as the registered accountants and public accountants would probably drift apart if a charter were granted. Alter a general discussion, it was decided to refer the matter back to the Auckland branch, and that it be further discussed at the meeting of the council.

At the annual meeting of members of the society held in the afternoon about 100 members attended. The president (Mr Hogg), in moving the adoption of the report and balancesheet referred to a large number of matters, including examination, syllabus, benevolent fund, accountancy research, trade and finance, unemployment, taxation, and the Companies’ Act. He also referred to the retirement of Air Peter Barr, of Dunedin, from the council, after twenty years’ service, and at a later stage a motion of appreciation of Air Barr’s services to the profession of accountancy in New Zealand was carried unanimously. Air F. H. Bass (Wellington) moved a motion in favour of accountancy research, which was defeated by an amendment brought forward by Air Baily (Taranaki) which urged the postponement of the proposal on tlio ground that the matter was too costly in the meantime. __ The president announced the election of the following members of the council: Auckland, Air J. M. Elliffe; Hawke’s Bay, Air L. A. Denton; Wellington, Air E. W. Hunt; Canterbury, Air W. A. Smith; Otago, Air T. G. Brickell; Southland, Air J. B. Reid. Mr Kellow (Wellington) was re-elected auditor.

On the motion of Mr Bass it was resolved by a majority to recommend the council to institute an employment bureau.

A hearty vote of thanks ivas passed to the council for its services last year.