PRESS CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 232, 1 October 1925, Page 7

PRESS CONFERENCE.

PRICE OF WIRELESS NEWS. BRITISH PAPERS AND VS. MORE DOMINION ITEMS. ißy Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received 10 a.m.) MELBOURNE, this day. The Imperial Press Conference continued yesterday, inter-Empire -communications being the dominant subject. A motion was passed urging the restoration of penny postage within tbe Empire. A motion was also passed urging that wireless messages be charged at the lowest possible figure, and in the case of beam wireless stations, rates should have regard to the lower capital costs of installation and maintenance. • Mr. Holtz (Melbourne) moved to the effect that Australia should be allowed to control and operate her reciprocal beam wireless station in England. He contended that as Canada had this privilege. Australia should be similarly treated. Lord Burnham pointed out that the British Government always maintained control of communications in Britain. It was obvious that in time of crisis such control was imperative. Mr. Sargent (South Africa) urged that the resolution should include South Africa, as South Africa bad a similar 'arrangement with Bjitain. Sir George Fenwick (New considered that the resolution should embrace all the Dominions. It might be necessary for .New Zealand to be able to act similarly. Later, Mr. Bartolo (Malta) said that all the sections of the Empire should be. entitled to the control of reciprocal stations if they so desired. A motion was passed regarding Australia, and similar motions to the effect that Canada and the other Dominions should control their reciprocal stations were agreed to. Mr. Hugh Denison moved to the effect that a fuller cable service of Australian news be sent to Britain. Australian proprietors, were willing to send 1000 words daily to British newspapers for publication". This would cost British newspapers a total of £10.000 yearly. Australian delegates strongly supported the motion, claiming that very poor publicity was given to Australian news in the British Press. They contended that better publicity wouid help to expand the Empire by inducing people to go to Australia. Mr. Turner, representing F.euter's. moved an amendment that members pledge themselves to use their utmost effort to see that more Dominion news than is now used be published in their respective papers in future. The amendment was passed. Lord Burnham said that the decision rfiarked a great step forward. It was decided to refer it to the Empire Press Lnion for early consideration and report. Viscount Burnham has sent tbe following cablegram to the Earl of Rosebery: '""Die third Imperial Press Conference sends you its greetings and best wishes, your speeches were quoted by the Prime Minister of Australia and the Leader of thp Labour party: also hy myself." Lord Burnham said he feP that the message would deeply touch the' Earl of Eosebery. who was now ill. and who welcomed the delegnfps to thp first conference and had Iflwavs taken great interest in Imperial affairs. Lady Burnham Tead a paper on the Women's Socipfv of Journalists. "Slio said it was governed by broad-minded worr.p n . convpvod the =oeietv'= The conference adjourned.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.)