OVERSEAS DELEGATES WELCOMED

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 50, 27 August 1925, Page 9

OVERSEAS DELEGATES WELCOMED

A warm welcome to" Lord and Lady Burnham (president of the union), and the other visiting dolegatee, was extended by Sir George Fenwick, president of the New Zealand branch, in proposing the toast of "Our Guests."

There could ba little question, he said, that the impressions New Zealand had left on the minds of the visitors would be deep and lasting. As to the important conference which was shortly to be held in Australia, newspaper men in New Zealand realise that it nad not only its business side from the purely Press point of view, but that that consideration was transcended by its Empire importance) for the Empiro Press Union was one more link strongly welded into the ever-strengthening chain of Imperial friendship and consolidation. It was of great importance that the Press of the Motherland should, through periodical visits from its owners and its editors, learn something at first-hand of the social and business life of the aspirations and the fervent loyalty, of the people of the Dominions.

UNITY OF THOUGHT AND PURPOSE

"No one who gave a moment's consideration to the great problems with which England was beset to-day—pro-blem* of her commerce and industry, in the social life of her people, in the wider sphere of international relations—could doubt tjhat it was vital to Empire interests that Motherland and Dominions should work closely together. There was no surer way of promoting this unity of thought and unity of purpose thnn by recognising the Press as one of the great factors in their accompli'^iment. It was by such conferences as those of the Empire Press Union, when great national problems and difficulties engaged the attention of the members, that Motherland and Dominions were brought more and more into touch. Probably never in England's history had there been a more critical position in many branches of her industrial life than to-day, and if her trade continued to fall away and the purchasing power of her people became seriously lessened then the Dominions would quickly feel the pinch caused by reduced exports of their primary products and of lower prices." In conclusion, he expressed the belief that these friendly visits of our newspaper compatriots would more and more tend to bind the Empire together, to cause a still finer appreciation of our unswerving loyalty and of our determination to stand by the Old Land in nil her trials, and all her efforts to tread the path of fair and honest dealing with other nations, and to secure, above all, the peace of the world. (Applause.)

A VALUABLE EXPERIENCE

Rising to reply, Major J. J. Astor, M.P., hon. treasurer of the Empire Press Union and chairman of "The Times" Publishing Company, referred to'the pleasant task which fell to his lot. They had always heard, he said, of this land of opportunity, and they had not been disappointed. They admired our scenery, and they had enjoyed everything, even our champion butter—(laughter and applause). They had been considerably impressed, too, with New Zealand's wonderful rainfall—(laughter)—which had in no way damped the enjoyment of their visit. It had been a wonderful experience to come to New Zealand, and they were more than grateful t.i those who had made it so pleasant an experience, and to those who had done so much for their interests and enjoyment. Their journey had given them an invaluable experience of the overseas part of the Empire, and to all of them it had been a nappy prelude to the conference that so many of them had been able to travel together, It was worthy of note that they had gone half-way round the world without a singlo quarrel. (Applause.) None of the delegates could easily spend five or six months from their ordinary work, but with one voice they had decided to make the sacrifice because they felt it was worth while. That was tho spirit in which they had nil come out here. (Applause.) They had come out neither to press their wares nor themselves. (Laughter.) They had come because they realised the wonderful chance of seeing Uie Dominions of New Zealand and Australia. They had had many kindnesses conferred upon them, for which they had to ba thankful to the jjmpire Press Union, and to their able chairman of the London Council Arrangements Committee, Sir Harry Brittain.

Referring to the war, he said the New Zealand soldiers were very early iv the firing line,- and they could never forget the part they played. The nations of the Empire, he said in conclusion, formed part of a stronghold which stood four square to the world to fqaintain peace through all the perplexities and storms of the world. (Applause.) A PERMANENT INSTITUTION OF EMPIRE The second response was made by Sir Harry Brittain, M.P. After acknowledging the words of greeting, he remarked that the veterans of lhe_ first Presa Conference were a little diminishing band, and he was to-day the only one left of the original officers -who welcomed their overseas colleagues in 1909. They missed that night the first Lord Burnham, the "beloved doyen of the British Press, to whoso ever-ready help nnd kindly sympathy ho owed more than ho could tell in the creation., of that first gathering; Lord Northcliffe, one of the outstanding personalities of British journalism, who was their treasurer; and Sir Arthur Pearson, who even above his many sictivitios in tho newspaper woi-M, would over lie remembered as iho saviour of the Umpire's men blinded in tho waj\ (Applaud.) I Kelerring k> las history and multifold

A LINK IN IMPERIAL CONSOLIDATION

VISITORS' APPRECIATION OF NEW ZEALAND

The British and Canadian delegates to the Empire Press Union Conference were entertained by tUe New Zealand branch of the union at a complimentary dinner at the Grand Hotel last night. All the visiting delegates were present, some accompanied by their wives, and the majority of the newspapers of New Zealand were represented. Other guests were Sir Francis 8011, representing the Qovernnie nt, Mr. ft. W. Forbes, Leader of the Opposition, Councillor M. F. Lnckie, representing the Mayor and City Council, Mr. M. Cohen, chairman of the Harbour Board, Mr. D. J. M'Oowan, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, and some representatives of Governments Departments.

effects of the first Empire Press Conference, he said that the foundation was then laid, to bo built up eleven yeari later by the energy and enthusiasm of their Canadian friends. The year 1925 would see the coping stone added to what must be a permanent institution of Empire, aided wilK all the zost it was possible to apply by the progressive spirit of New Zealand and Australia, In the completeness of arrangements; in the collaboration of Government departments, and the newspaper press; in the overwhelming welcome given them, which had had throughout the ring of real sincerity j jn the mass of invitations received, which lack of time alone denied acceptance, they visualised the real New Zealand.

The New Zealand of our dreams has become the New Zealand of,fact, said Sir Harry, and we now appreciate to the full that the finest advertisement of the Dominion is the. New Zealander himself. In the few short years— wondrous few in a nation's history— since the white man made his way to these beautiful islands, amazing work has been accomplished. Some twelve thousand miles from the Motherland.

with stupendous engineering difficulties to overcome, wo • find to-day a happy, confident, patriotic, prosperous, all-British community, sure of itself and the future—generous, sunny, and hospitable like the isles themselves. TRIBUTES TO THE DOMINION "There is many an epic in your past," he proceeded, "many a stern conflict with perhaps the finest fighting native rage the world has known. (Applause.) But these conflicts have left no mark on your national life except the mark of whole-hearted co-operation with those magnificent Maoris whom we count today among the most intelligent and intensely patriotic subjects of the Crown. (Hear, hear.) We visitors readily admit that at Rotorua and elsewhere they have entirely captured our hearts. With regard to loyalty to the Crown, here it is of a kind which warms the heart of every lover of the Empire. In this Dominion the dispensation of justice, is supremely fair, and supremely swift. The evil-doer, whatever be his station, receives short shrift in a New Zealand Court of Law "

NEW ZEALAND'S HELP

Continuing, he paid a tribute to Wellington, remarking that its motto, Suprema a Situ," fitted it like a glove. New Zealand was a pioneer Jand; they needed no reminding 'that the Dominion was first with old-age pensions, the woman's vote, arbitration Courts, and with ' general Empire preference. Many a time he had discussed this progressive legislation with that grand old Imperialist, Mr. Massoy, whose loss the Empire mourned, and the last time he saw him he remembered full well his keen anticipation in his hope of showing the Press delegation something of the results nf this legislation in the hind he loved. One memory of his of New Zealand which could never fade, mid the speaker, was of a day when the war clouds were breaking; he happened to be at Downing Street with the then Colonial Secretary when • he opened the cable containing New Zealand's immediate offers of help. The world would never forget hon' that offer was kept; how . from these islands of less than thirteen hundred thousand souls a force of men was sent which exceeded by 40,000' the number of British troops commanded by Wellington at the Battle of. Waterloo. Applause.) No more valiant fighters, nor greater gentlemen, were found on any front; and even this stupendous effort did not prevent New Zealand from sending to those in England when they needed It most the best part of £160,000,000 worth of food. In the roll of honour, and in the path of sacrifice the memory of New Zealand's help would never die.

From Home we hay 9 come out to find another Home 12,000 miles away he concluded. In answer to your welcome—that ■ wireless greeting Jiaeremai flashed to ua overseas— we came . . . we have seen ... and by your friendship and your kindness wo have been conquered.

A CANADIAN DELEGATE

Mr. J. Bassett, who was introduced by the chairman as one of the delegates from our great sister Dominion —Canada—opened with a reference to the pleasure he felt at being associated with the representatives from other parts of. the Kmpiro. After relating a little of the history of the pnper ha represented, the "Montreal Gazette," which was founded by TJpiijnniin Franklin in 1778, the speaker. de;ilt ably and interestingly with ' problems affecting Canada and other parts of the world. His remarks in this connection are re^ ported in another column.

Speaking on behalf of the Government, Sir Francis 801 l congratulated the chairman for the manner in which ho had conducted the business of the. occasion, and wished him long life and happiness. Sir George Fenwick, he said, had tho confidence and affection of his profession., After referring humorously to tho administration of tlio law in Now Zealand, ha expressed regret for tho absence, of tho Prime' Minister, and he concluded by proposing tho toast of Sir Georgo and Lady Fenwick. In acknowledging the honour, Fir Georgo said the first time ho ever heard tho toast of loyalty proposed was at tho hands of Sir Francis Bell's father. Ho extended to all his very best wishes, and thanked Sir Francis for his complimentary remarks. Lord Burnham at this stage made a presentation on behalf of tho visitors In Mr. Loonar.il Berry, (bo organiser of tbs tpur thi'ough NW Zealaad, ' uid

secretary ol the Newspaper Proprietors' Association of New Zealand, as a token of their esteem and appreciation of what he had done for their comfort and guidance. Mr. Berry, in returning thanks, said he could not have wished for a more pleasant task than to conduct the party through the Dominion. They had made it easy for him. He would like to have taken them to the South Island, and he regretted that they wcro not going there. A happy function concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.,