A PRESENTATION

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 134, 22 February 1923, Page 6

A PRESENTATION

MR. P. SELIG HONOURED

At the annual meeting of!the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of New Zealand last night, the president (.Mr. C. W. Earle) stated that it, was a suitable opportunity to say good-bye to Mr. P. Selig, who was an institution in newspaper circles. For something fifty years he had been associated with tiieir newspaper life, and for the past score of years or so had taken a most prominent part in it. He had been the first president of the Master Printers’ Association; for more years than many of them cared to count he had Been a director and chairman of the United Press Association; and for thirteen years he had been chairman of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association. Looking back over the years, they realised that he had set a splendid example to all of them in the service he had ungrudingly rendered to the Jiewspaper proprietors of New Zealand. The spirit of service in him was strong at all times, and no sacrifice of time or self was too great for the benefit of the cause he _ had so much at heart. He had enjoyed in the highest degree the confidence of every of Lhe members, and they felt that they could not let him go without expressing their appreciation in some tangible form. It had been decided to present him with an illuminated address and a cheque with which he could purchase some memento of his association with them; but, perhaps what he would appreciate most was their decision to make him the first life-member of the association. They regretted having to part with him, but felt that he had well earned the rest and enjoyment of leisure, and they wished him long life and happiness. (Applause.) On behalf of the provincial proprietors, Mr. R. J. Gilmour dwelt in eloquent terms on the great services Mr. Selig had rendered to their section of the association, and the feeling that by his retirement they were losing a valued counsellor and verv goqjl friend. He had been ready at all times to listen to tho grievance of the smallest newspaper proprietors and advise and counsel them. ’ Sir George Fenwick and Mr. A. McNicol added their tributes. Mr. Selig said that though he did not deserve a great deal of what had been said, he had done his best. He had always endeavoured to lift the association up to a high plane, and he was quite satisfied, after what had been done, to hand over tho reins of office to those who could carry on the work so well. They had a fine organisation, which should be of incalculable benefit to members. It was a great thing to know that his efforts had been appreciated, and while it was a wrench to leave old associations so pleasant and enjoyable, he was glad to bo in a position to tell them that in the future he would not bo entirely detached from newspaper work. They had done him a great honour that evening; it had touched him very deeply, and he could not find words to express how grateful he was to them. He thanked them all from the bottom of his heart. The members al) rose and accorded Mr. Selig musical honours.