PRESS CONFERENCE AT GENEVA.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19154, 10 November 1927, Page 3

PRESS CONFERENCE AT GENEVA.

AUSTRALIAN DELEGATE'S VIEW. [THE PRESS Special SerYiee.] AUCKLAND, November 9. Having represented the Australian newspapers at the International Press Conference at Geneva last August, Mr A. C. C. Holtz, general manager of the Melbourne "Argus" and "Australasian," is returning to Australia. Mr Holtz is chairman of the Australian Newspapers Conference, a body comprising practically all the metropolitan daily newspapers m the LommomvealU The International Conference, said Mr Holtz, although called by the League of Nations, was not controlled in any way by the League. All sections of newspaper interests were represented in the 63 delegates, attended by 20 assessors and 35 experts from 38 countries. The President, Lord Burnham, has said the gathering was one of the most impressive that had been brought together in newspaper history. A wide range of subjects was dealt with, Mr Holtz said, including the necessity for lower cable rates, better facilities for wireless, telegraphic and telephone communications, the wider circulation of newspapers and Press information, the protection of news before and after publication, the accessibility of Government and official news, censorship, in time of peace, and better facilitips for journalists. The opinion was expressed at the Conference that peace among the nations would be fostered, by the free exchange of accurate information. A free distribution of all Government and official news was also held to be another factor that would help toward the same end.

"Apart from the practical work of the Conference," said Mr Holtz, "1 think it was generally felt that the 'intangible results were incalculable. There was an improved mutual understanding and a firm basis of goodwill was established. If these had been the only results, the Conference would have been worth while, but the practical benefits yet to be reaped will be manifold." Mr Holtz added that the Conference had passed a resolution requesting the Council of the League of Nations to call similar meetings in the future. It was proved beyond doubt that direct representation at such a Conference was fundamental. Delegates from all the British Dominions were emphatic on that point, as conditions in the new countries differed to such a marked extent from those ruling in the old.