ACCOUNTANTS MEET.

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19314, 21 July 1934, Page 9

ACCOUNTANTS MEET.

NEW BRANCH FORMED. SOUTH AUCKLAND INTERESTS. DOMINION PRESIDENT'S VISIT. Steps to form a South Aucklam branch were taken at a large gather ing of members of the New Zealam Society of Accountants held in th Wattle Tearooms last evening. Abou 40 members were present from al parts of tiie district, and opportunit; was taken to gain information concerning the affairs of the society anc the profession from officials present. A cordial welcome to the Dominioi president, Mr H. Valentine, of Wellington, and to Mr J. M. Eliffe, Auckland secretary, and Messrs E. D. Wilkinson and H. C. Robinson, members of the Auckland executive, was extended by Mr R; English, who presided. Mr English pointed out that the object of the gathering was to meel the Dominion president and to consider proposals to form a separate branch. In the past, it was thought: the Waikato had not been treated vers favourably so far as representation was concerned. Growth of Membership. In rising to speak, Mr Valentine expressed his pleasure at the opportunity of addressing a meeting of Waikato accountants. In analysing the membership figures recently he had found that Auckland was the largest district, with 600 members. There were about 100 members in the South Auckland area, lie reported the matter to the council, who thought the time was ripe for some improvement in organisation and representation in the district. In recent years the society had been gaining rapidly in membership, and about 250 new members were admitted last year .as a result of the Companies Amendment Act. At present the total membership was approximately 2400. He considered the status of the society had improved greatly. The accountancy profession had an influence extending through every important busir ness in the Dominion, and would be a big factor in assisting the country out of the depression. It might be that some members favoured the Douglas credit scheme. He had no desire to attack that movement, but he believed the society could best aid the country by hard and honest work, and by observing the canons of sound finance. Branch Advantages. The speaker went on to outline the ,fms and objects of a district branch, '■ ;he district desired to organise one. emphasised the desirability of flic accountants describing themIvcs as such; in this way the public ,iild realise that the term had a :; ecial significance in that a public accountant held definite status under the legislation. He announced that a convention would he held in Auckland next February.' Opportunity was being given to members to submit theses on local body finance, and he hoped that (lie district would be able to enter a candidate. Concluding, Mr Valentine mentioned that advantages of a branch were the formation of a student society and a library, Mr G. y. Thomson favoured the proposal to form a new branch, and stressed the value of a branch assisting students. Mr Eliffe assured the meeting that the Waikato move would be warmly supported by the Auckland branch. Some members had asked what they had got for their subscriptions, but (here was no doubt that the position of accountancy to-day was much better than it was 10 or 15 years ago. Expressions of goodwill and advice wero given by Messrs Robinson and Wilkinson. They assured the meeting that the Auckland committee had taken every interest in the South Auckland members. It was decided lo form a loc-al branch and lo sot. up a committee of three public accountants and two registered accountants lo take Uie preliminary steps. The following committee was appointed: Messrs R. English, G. S. Crimp, T. G. Reynolds, G. ?I. Thomson, and W. Fraser. The establishment of a superannuation fund for Ihe society in the near future was advocated by Mr G. W. Armstrong. Protection of Public. ■Mr Valentine suggested that when the branch was formed a remit on the subject should bo forwarded to the Dominion Council . "There is a general impression that the Companies Act was passed purely for Ihe benefit of accountants," added Mr Valentine. “As a matter of fact, accountants do benefit by it, but they have fo go through a severe course of training to enter I lie society at all. Tlie Act was pass Jl. lo protect the fuibllc interest. By minimising the risk of fraud and trickery and giving accountants a definite status, the Companies Act clearly protects the public." Members then stood in silence as a mark of respect to the memory of tho lain Mr W. R. Holmes. Tho meeting closed with a vote of thanks lo the chair. I