EMPIRE PRESS UNION.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20789, 24 February 1933, Page 16

EMPIRE PRESS UNION.

NEW ZEALAND BRANCH. CHAIRMAN AND THE EXCHANGE QUESTION. (FF.KSS ASSOCIATION TSLEGJIAIt ) EOTOBUA, February 23. At the conference of the New Zealand branch of the Empire Press Union to-day, Mr Henry Horton, president, in his addfess to members said that there was one matter he felt it his duty to refer to, namely, the free criticism' that had been made editorially by most of the papers against the raising of the exchange Tate. The Government thought it was the best policy to increase the exchange and the press as usual gave its candid criticism of the proposal. But the Government was finding the proposal not so popular as it expected, and very unfairly, on February 3, attacked the motives of the papers in speaking as they had done. The Bt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister for Finance, when speaking on the Banks Indemnity Bill in tne House had inferred that the almost unanimous press condemnation of the Governments action in raising the exchange rate was; resented, and that the fact that the newspapers were closely and materially affected by the exchange rate caused them to be actuated.by motives of selfinterest. Mr Coates, unquestionably, was right in saying that the newspapers were adversely affected by the exchange rate but many newspapers perceived that practically all other businesses were equally affected. They honestly came to the conclusion that they could not support the increase in exchange. Mr Horton said that frequently editors had the support of their proprietors in advocating policies against the financial interests of the papers when they believed they were serving tne Newspapers were jealous of the high reputation that had been bv the press of the country. He believed a cruel injustice had been done to _ the I newspapers when it was suggested that criticism of the increase m exchange had anything behind it but a sincere desire to achieve what ****?£ for the national interest- He hoped the press was above imputing motives to the Government in its efforts to secure the national welfare. Also, he hoped the Government would have more respect for the press than to think that the strong criticism against the exchange was inspired by selfishness. The chairman's remarks were warmly endorsed by the meeting. Mr P H. N. Frceth ("The Press," Christchurch), Mr Bonald Horton ("New Zealand Herald"), and Mr Will Appleton (advertising «pert) were elected associate members. Mr H. Horton was re-elected president, and M * Bonald Horton, secretary. AH sitting members of the committee were reelThed'chairman paid a tribute to the services rendered by Mr G. C. Codhn as secretary to the New Zealand branch, and convened to him the wish of all present for the greatest success in his new post On the staff of the "Sydney Morning Herald. Mr Codlhi suitably acknowledged the tribute, and assured the meeting, of his continued interest in the union. Sympathetic reference was made to the'death of Sir Bobert Donald, the eminent British journalist, who wa» chairman of the Empire Press Union for many years. A motion of condolence with Lady Donald was passed. A reference to.the Empire advertising and marketing exhibition at OJympia in July next was made by Mr Horton. He said be felt sure the exhibition would have the entire support oi the New Zealand branch. It had bjsen described as an attempt to. translate into practical business the results obtained at Ottawa, and it would be a genuine and much needed attempt to stimulate both trade and advertising on a larger scale than had* recently been attempted. PnquestionaWy advertising was one of the best barometers as to a country's prosperity. The rise had not yet commenced in Sieve Zealand, but as the country was settling down after the recent political turmoil, they hoped that improvement was near at, hand.