SUCCESS IN BUSINESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15548, 4 March 1914, Page 11

SUCCESS IN BUSINESS.

VALUE OF SOUND TRAINING.

THE UNIVERSITY COURSE.

" Comparatively few business men succeed. Any number attain a certain degreo of success, and ' while remembering that only a few may be Liptons and Rockefellers, few there are who succeed in any creditable measure. Ido not think lam far out in saying that one of the greatest causes of the failure of business men in New Zealand is the lack of that knowledge which every business man should possess." These remarks were made at the Auckland University College last night by Mr. W. H. Hemingway, in his opening lecture to the students taking subjects in commercial science.

The speaker traced the rapid growth of commercial education in England and .America, dwelling upon the importance with which the subject was regarded by the universities of the latter country, where men who were to lead in industry and commerce were to be found among the students.

" New Zealand business men are waking up to the fact that there are other ways of acquiring a knowledge of book-keeping and accounting than by commencing one's career by polishing the door-plate," said the lecturer. Already a general improvement was noticeable in the book-keeping and business methods of many firms in the Auckland Province. The accountant of one of the largest business houses had remarked that he had noticed a steady improvement in the capacity of the clerks under him, and also in the methods of country business firms. He attributed it all to a wider knowledge of accountancy.

The five examinations in commercial subjects were elucidated by the lecturer, who said that a more useful degree than Bachelor of Commerce could not be acquired by a young man, whether engaged in business or otherwise.

The lecturer mentioned that in 1912, when commercial subjects were provided, 23 students enrolled in Otago, 7 in Canterbury, 17 in Wellington, and 158 in Auckland. Present indications showed that the classes in Auckland would again be large this year.