SALVATION ARMY FINANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17318, 18 May 1918, Page 8

SALVATION ARMY FINANCE

HIGH PRAISE FOR SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS-KEEPING. In a letter to Mr L 0. H. Tripp, chairman of the Red Jersey Appeal campaign in Wellington, Mr Ernest Hunt, of the accountancy firm of Watkins, Hull, Hunt, and Wheeler, pays a high compliment to tho system by which the funds of the Salvation Army are controlled. '• I think," says Mr Hunt, "it would prove of interest to yourself and others who aic working for the Red Jersey Appeal to have information as to the splendid system of accounts and administration of tho Salvation Army in New Zealand. The financial operations of the Salvation Army first came under my notice in 1912. when separate financial control was established, and my firm were appointed to undertake a complete continuous audit. The books had just been opened and the accounts organised (on a system uniform with the accounts of the Army in other parts of tho world) ' under the personal supervision of Colonel Arthur Bates, of London, the official staff auditor of the Salvation Army, who came to New Zealand for that purpose. I can say without hesitation that the financial administration, organisation, and accounting system of tho Army compares more than favourably with that of tho best and most up-to-date business houses in this dominion. In the course of my duties I have audited all the war funds of the Salvation Army, and have found that the same careful administration and excellent system has, throughout, been applied to these , funds. In this connection it is particularly interesting to note that absolutely no administration expenses are charged against any of these war funds, all work being carried out by the regular officers of the Army, and their salary end expenses charged against the general fund. Judged bv the_ very careful and economical manner in which the numerous Army institutions arc supervised and managed lb rough out this dominion, I feel sure that the nublie may rely upon all mone-v subscribecl by them being utilised without deduction or waste for the purpose for which it is contributed."