Remember these convenient and self-serving words used only for self-preservation in the WT's letter that was read to all congregations in Victoria, Australia: " The publisher is not a representative or a volunteer of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Australia." (I bet if we had a copy of the Branch Handbook of Watchtower of Australia, we'd see that's not exactly true.)
Yet, why is it in Britain, another Commonwealth Country like Australia, the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Britain, has a volunteer force that supports and assists the Watch Tower, REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1077961 as per the Watch Tower of Britain’s Annual Reports and Accounts 2005. (One wonders, “What happened to the unity of their global organization the Witnesses all crow about?”)
Note the following paragraphs:
On page 2 under the sub-topic, "Internal Controls," it states,
The internal auditor (who is a certified accountant) and his assistant, both drawn from the volunteer work force, have a set agenda to pursue throughout the year, and reported in writing to the trustees in November 2005.
On page 3, under "Relationship with connected charities" I found this statement:
The Society works closely with International Bible Students Association, which permits Watch Tower Society to use its facilities for the Society's charitable activities and provides accommodation for volunteers.
On page 4, under "Volunteers" it states :
Over the past year, due to natural disasters and an increase in the normal work of the charity, there has been a need on the part of many volunteers to spend more time than would have otherwise been required in assisting the charity. There has been wholehearted support from the volunteer workforce which has unstintingly given time, skills and energies to ensure that the charitable work of the Society has continued uninterrupted over the past year. We gratefully acknowledge their invaluable support and look forward to it continuing in the coming year.
http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/Accounts/Ends61/0001077961_AC_20050831_E_C.PDF