THE EMPIRE PRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 251, 22 October 1926, Page 7

THE EMPIRE PRESS.

BANQUET IN LONDON.

OVERSEAS DELEGATES ATTEND

LONDON, October 21. Under the auspices of the Empire Press Union, the Newspaper Proprietors' Association, the Newspaper Society and other kindred organisations, the overseas delegates to the Imperial Conference were tendered a banquet at the Savoy Hotel. The gathering was representative of the principal figures of the British Press, statesmen and the Empire's public men. Viscount Burnham presided, and amongst those present were Mr, P. Selig and Mr. Robert Bell, of Christchurch.

The chairman said the Imperial Conferences were intended to strengthen the bonds of the Empire, but the process must be gradual. There were allegedly constitutional bugbears to frighten them, but they would disappear. The Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. S. M. Bruce, said the recent Press confedence in Australia had enabled Britain to interpret Australia's ambition. The Press could educate public opinion to realise the importance of Imperial problems. It was only necessary for the British people to realise .how great was the opportunity of the Empire to go forward with a new spirit in order.to secure the accomplishment of thoee things to which past efforts had been devoted.

In reply to the Maharajah of Burdwan (India), Lord Burnham said any invitation to the Press Congress to meet in India would be gladly accepted. The Prime Minister of New Zealand (Mr. J. G. Coates) said the conference would explore all the avenues which might ensure mutual and inter-Imperial understanding. He advocated New Zealand's advantages for migrants and suggested that the Press Congress of the world might hold its next meeting there. He paid a tribute to New Zealand's Press and to the Dominion's' loyalty to Britain.