PRESS MAGNATES.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18463, 18 August 1925, Page 7

PRESS MAGNATES.

♦ AN IMPERIAL GATHERING I PURPOSE OF MISSION. (PJSZSS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, August 17. Viscount Burnham, who is a member of the Imperial Press Conference which arrived in Auckland last evening, interviewed, said so far they had had a magnificent journey. They had travelled bv tiie All Red route, receiving in Canada a warm welcome. They had been able to spend four days in the Rocky Mountains., and in Vancouver they had received a civic welcome and a public lunch had been given them by the City Council, Chamber of Commerce, and newspaper Press. Canada resided the Press I nioti as a great Imperial movement. .. The Governor of Hawaii had honoured the delegates at Honolulu, and a similar courtesy had been shown them dt 'lhe purpose of the organisation was to obtain the most efficient service tor tho newspaper Press throughout the Empire. In regard to the cables and wireless arrangements it had ma-e tliev had been of very great advantage Thc<r» were branches 111 every part' of the Empire. One representative of India was with them, Mr Moore, tho editor of "Tli? Statesman,' Calj cutta. Another from India would join thorn in Australia. Malta was represented, and a delegate would go to Australia from Singapore. "I am quite familiar with New Zealand newspapers," A iscount Burnham proceeded. "New Zealand is said to i>e, and T exne't to find it, the most British of all British Dominions, and giving one the most keen sensations of Home. There is a marked similarity between the newspapers of New Zealand and the old newspapers of Britain. Tvpieal paners such a.<s 'The Times, the 'Scotsman,' the 'Manchester Guardian,' and tho 'Daily Telegraph' are suggested >by the make-up of New Zealand newspapers, and the choice of subjects an:l the manner in which tliev are treated. I notice also how a\cll the blocks and illustrations are now done. Your standards and practice go-ernlly practically identical with older English iournlilisin." New Zealand had had her delegates at former conferences, and at Home they wore awara of the calibre of the men. Overseas Settlement. i Viscount Burnham had something to say upon the rjubjcct of immigration, j ' a question that has received his close attention for many years. He had been a member of the immigration Authority since 1894, \ and had regularly attended the meetings of the Overseas Settlement Committee. The previous day, ho said, the delegates had held a meeting to discuss the question of immigration. It had been fortunate in having fcir Thomas .Mackenzie's views, also in having with them Mr AY. Ban Ives Ame'ry, who is on his way to Australia upon hiis immigration mission. "I have always believed that, allowing for the limitation that must be imposed in regard to numbers, the prospects in New Zealand in many respects are ideal for oversea, settlement. Especially am I anxiouis to see immigration for boys from pub. lie schools and secondary schools. I am not, of course. suggesting immigration of a particular class, but I advocate generally immigration of youth; then you have the making ol characters and adaptation cf the oversea conditions which are not so certain in the case of older people. "Hero yon have a system of nomination. 1 highly approvo of it, but hope it may be extended so that the Churcu bodies of all denominations may be able to make themselves responsible for immigrants recommended by their related bodies nt Home. New Zealand was partly founded by groups of settlers organised by various churches, and it would be a fine thing if that could bo continued in connexion with the nomination system. It covld dovetail in quite well, I think." The conference in Australia, would discuss the question of newspaper rela-' tion to oversea settlement, and delegates hoped to have addresses from peqnlo qualified tn sneak for .both Australia and New Zealand. Trade Relations. He w:v. glad to sec that the position of New Zealand trade was so good and the financial position so satisfactory. Naturally, England wanted to Keep her trade relations with the Dominions on the best footing possible. He had been glad to hear that there was promise of improved trade in beef. "I am anxious for the newspaper Press at Home," he continued, "to go iu for an Imperial policy in trade, to create strong sentiment iu favour of the use of Empire, products. I believo a' great deal can be done. It ought to be possible to obtain voluntary preference for Empire products. "Newspapers are not only the means for carrying out propaganda to this end, but they are the principal means. I hope we shall be able to adopt a policy at the conference whidi will have some influence." PRIME MINISTER'S MESSAGE. j (press association teleghah.) AUCKLAND, August 17. A message has been sent to Lord Burnham by tho Prime Minister as follows: —"On behalf of the Government of New Zealand, I extend to yourself and all the visiting members of the Empire Press delegation, and also to tho ladies in the party, a most hearty and cordial welcome to the Dominion. We sincerely trust that your stay among us, although so regrettably short, will prove most enjoyable, and that you will carry away with you pleasant memories of your sojourn in the Britain of the South. I look forward with great pleasure to meeting you in "Wellington, and in the meantime my colleague. Sir James Parr, who is now in Auckland, will convey on our behalf a personal welcome to you." An acknowledgment was sent by Lord Burnham. It reads: "We all thank you most sincerely for your hearty and generous welcome to New Zealand, which has already been extended in the kindest words on your behalf by Sir James Parr. AVe are looking forward to every day of our stay in this splendid Dominion, and we only regret that it will be too short for adequate appreciation. lam delighted to know- that wo shall see you in Wellington."