EMPIRE PRESS UNION.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19343, 22 June 1928, Page 9

EMPIRE PRESS UNION.

IMPROVED COMMUNICATION. (FBCK i OUR OWK COUBZSPONDZST.) LONDON, May IS>. Major Astor, M.P. (chairman of the Empire Press Union), in the absence of Lord Burnham, the president, took the chair at the 18th annual general meeting in London. In moving the adoption of the report, which was carried, Major Astor referred to, the coining into operation of the wireless beam service. A large share of success had been achieved in a comparatively short time. The council, as stated in the report, urged the advantage of continued competition between the two systems of telegraphic communication. It was considered that continued development and improvement of those communications within the Empire must in the main depend upon enterprise in creating new traffic as opposed to' Sharing out existing business. Such enterprise might be lacking if all the channels of communication, both cable and wireless, oventually came under one administration. By improved cable and wireless services, he added, the Empire now had the machinery for making a closer union than ever before. They were most desirous that the fullest use should be made of these channels of communication for the purpose of news and information, and there was no doubt they would be of material advantage to the Empire as a whole. Sir Eobert Donald, vice-chairman, said it was difficult at present to go beyond the position mentioned in the report as regards cable and wireless systems, for they must wait and see what would be the recommendations of the Empire Conference. The whole future seemed to depend a good deal on the action of the Post Office. Sir Roderick Jones, in terms of the highest eulogy, moved the re-election of Lord Burnham as president. Sir Frank Newnes had pleasure in seconding the motion, which wag agreed to. On the motion of Lord Riddell, seconded by Sir Harry Brittain, M.P., Mr Cecil Harmsworth was appointed hon. treasurer.