NEW ZEALAND PRESS.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20789, 24 February 1933, Page 17

NEW ZEALAND PRESS.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF PROPRIETORS. PRESIDENT REVIEWS CURRENT CONDITIONS. irilEaS ASSOCIATION TELEGIUM ) ROTORUA, February 23. The annua] conference of the' Newspaper Proprietors' Association was held to-day. Mr C. W. Earle presided. The Mayor of Rotorua extended a welcome. Mr 11. H. Sterling, chairman of the Railways Board, addressed the meeting on railway matters. In tbe course of bis address, Mr Earlc said: "The conditions which prevail in New Zealand to-day have thrust on the daily newspapors a heavy responsibility. We find our country weighed down under the burden of depression, economic and mental, which is tending to warp our judgment. The general spirit of pessimism is unworthy of the traditions of our race. To a large extent we in New Zealand have, for the time being, lost our sense of proportion. Our real troubles aro bad enough, but there is a very general tendency to magnify them, to keep them too prominently in the forefront of our daily lives and to make tbcm an cxeusc for gloom and despondency instead of seeing in them a challenge to our fortitude and courage to master and surmount them. It is not surprising and not unnatural that in such an unwholesome atmosphere discontent and fault-finding should be widespread and aggrosgivcly active, but what is perhaps in existing circumstances worse for the welfare of the country is that its people are being divided into conflicting factions. At a time when it is most necessary, in the common interest, that the difficulties which confront us should be faced with tin* united strength of the nation unwoakenod by internal discussion, we find city and country interests at active warfare one with the other, we find importers and manufacturers in opposing camps each fighting for what they conceive to bo their immediate interests and in the <-trugglo may be imperilling the interests of all. We find also the heavy task of the Government hampered and obstructed by party strife in which the Labour Opposition seeks to aggravate the difficulties of those in office by tactics which suggest a de- | sii'O to foment popular discontent rather ! than to sorrf' the public weal. It seems evident that if we expect to make the progress all would desire in overcoming the financial and economic difficulties which confront the country a different spirit must prevail, a spirit of confidj once, ;i spirit of service, and where ! necessary, a spirit of sacrifice for the common good. Duty of the Press. '''.lt is here that the press is under a heavy obligation to render wholehearted service. There has been, and still is, too great, emphasis given in the press of the Dominion to the more gloomy aspects of (lie tempestuous flood of fault-finding "which has swept the country. Our newspapers too frequently have assisted to s-well its volume. It ih right and proper that public policy should be freely criticised when occasion requires, and the press would be failing in its duty if it neglected to draw at lent ion to such shortcomings and weaknesses as may bo apparent, but the constant reiteration of complaints and grievances, the repetition over and oxer again of the same dismal prophecies, tile piling up of the agony as it were by. the gloomy recapitulation of our hardships and worries, not only is unhelpful but unhealthy. Nn greater service could be rendered to New Zealand to-day than to arouse in its people that patriotic fervour which is evoked in a time of national crisis when the danger is clear to all and the way to victory plainly laid down. Then would we have that unity of,purpose and spirit of service and sacrifice which brings out the best in a nation, multiplies the manifold weight of its power and influence, and carries it steadfastly head high to success. That is what New Zealand needs most of all to-day, unity of effort instead of sectional strife, a spirit of service instead of a too narrow regard for individual interests, a greater tolerance, and u more helpful attitude towards those carrying the thankless and responsible tasks of government and a more cheerful and hopeful spirit. There is a great opportunity here for the daily newspaper press of New Zealand. It is within its power and in my opinion it is its plain duty to seek to create a more healthy and a more helpful atmosphere; to stimulate public confidence and to inspire in the individual a higher conception of personal obligation to play a worthy part so far as lies within his power in the great fight to win a way out of the present difficulties."

General Business. It was decided again to make representations to the Government to secure the light to the press of the publication of racing dividends. In recognition of their services, presentations were made to Mr G. C. Codlin, chairman of the Labour Com--mittec, on his removal to Sydney, and to Mr J. Coombe, chairman of the Advertising Committee, who is retiring after 12 years' service. The election of officers resulted: — President, Mr C. W. Earle; General Committee, Messrs F. A. Clarke, Smith, A. M. Burns, R. Horton, T. C. List, Manning, and A. McNicol; Advertising Committee, Messrs E. C. Huio, Seabrook, E. Bluudell, A. M. Burns, Bell, and R. P. Furness; Labour Committeo, Messrs Clarke, S. R. Evison, E. Blundell, Smith, Billens, and Roydhouse; Paper Committee, Messrs W r . Blundell, H. Horton, Burns, Allport, Crawford, Cargill, and Sir Cecil Leys; Parliamentary Committee, Messrs L. Blundell, Huie, H. Horton, Palmer, Jonc:;, Kerslake, and Sir Cecil Leys; chairman of Section 2, Mr List; chairman of Section 3 and 4, Mr McNicolj treasurer, Mr W. Blundell; auditor, Mr Page.