The Gazette 1975

Annual Report of the Council 1974-75

h i In the year under review we have continued the process of change which became evident in recent years. The traditional Annual Report to our members this year follows on the lines of its predecessor by making use of this issue of the Gazette to publish the Report and the Reports of its Committees. 1.2 During the year, thanks to the splendid work of the Chairmen and members of the various Committees established by the Society, coupled with the very able assistance rendered by our Director General, Jim Ivers, and his staff, the targets set for 1975 were achieved, notwith- standing the fact that many other important matters arose through the year which required constant attention. I hope it was a year of progress. Undeniably it was in the educational field. The changed educational system will have far reaching effects in the future, will be of immense value to our students and lasting credit is due to the Court of Examiners and to the Education Committee for their sterling work and for their achievements, notwithstanding the many problems which they encountered and which at times appeared to be insurmountable. 1.3 Community attitudes to professions have changed and hence, we have adopted what I hope is a more progressive approach to the problems which surround us. This approach has resulted in criticism which was perhaps inevitable. On the credit side, from constructive criticism, we can identify areas where improvement in our existing services and where new approaches such as in the field of Public Relations can be beneficial to us and helpful to the public. 1.4 During the year, contact with overseas colleagues was not only renewed, but also estab- lished. I had the honour of representing our Society at a meeting in Wellington last April of the New Zealand Law Society and of meeting with many of the Bar Associations in New Zealand and later in Australia as their guest. I was also guest of the French and Belgian lawyers during the year and had great pleasure in attending the 25th Centenary Celebrations of the Law Society of Scotland in Aviemore in May, of enjoying the hospitality of the Law Society on the occasion of their 150th Celebration in London in May and later at their Annual Conference in Eastbourne in October, the Annual Conference of the Incorporated Law Society of Northern Ireland at Gatehouse-of-Fleet in Scotland last May and the hospitality of the Lord Chancellor at the opening of the legal year ceremonies in London in October. I also had the opportunity of meeting many members of our profession through the country as well as the Bar Associations and the representatives of the other professional groups and organisations. I would like to thank them all sincerely for their kindness and support and for the hospitality which they have extended to me. 1.5 I am particularly grateful to the many members of our profession, from the young and older generation who, while not members elected to the Council, nonetheless gave pf their valuable time to partake in Committee work for the Council, providing invaluable advice, expertise and guidance. The profession is not generally aware of the value of this contribution, nor of the fact that many of the Council's achievements emanate from this source. 1.6 I have received wonderful encouragement and support from every member of the Council and our profession during the year and I am very grateful for it and also to the Society's staff who were continually at either elbow, offering assistance.

THE PRESIDENT REPORTS

The President, William A. Osborne

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