CONGRESS REVIVED

Evening Post, Issue 11, 13 July 1936, Page 11

CONGRESS REVIVED

THE PUBLISHERS' WORLD

(From "The Post's" Representative.)

LONDON, June 13.

After a lapse of 37 years an International publishers' Congress is again being held in London. Delegates were entertained at dinner at the Dorchester Hotel this week by the directors of "The Times," when the Hon. J. J. Astov, M.P., chairman of "The Times" Publishing Company; presided. Among the guests were Lord Hewart, Lord Chief Justice of England, and Lady Hewart, Sir Henry and Lady Horton, Mr. Alport Barker, Mayor of ' Suva, and his (Jaughter, Mrs. Frank Ryan, wife of the editor of "The Suva Times and Herald."

The only toast of the evening, in addition to that of. "The King," was "The' International: Publishers' Congress," proposed by Major Astor and supported by Lord Hewart. It was replied to by Mr. Frank Melcher, a noted American-publisher, and the remarks of the speakers were translated fully into French. . : In proposing the toast, Major Astor said that it was one of the tragedies of this generation that the Great War had delayed, suspended, and contracted many activities that contributed to civilisation in its highest form. But he regarded it as a happy and hopeful omen that the congress had found it possible to become active and flourishing once again. Its members had been engaged during the week in clearing l.away some of the tangles of conflicting .legislation and interests, which dammed I the sources of inspiration. The Bril.tish Empire Press Union had also been I engaged in a work of a similar kind.

.: Many changes had taken place in England since the Congress had last gathered in London 37 years ago. England was still insular, but her welcome was cordial and sincere. She was anxious to be friends with her fellowmen whether they were near or-far away. She was trying not to live within a wall; she did not like intellectual barriers or restrictions, but believed it was the contact between men that led to sympathy and understanding, which were the; surest foundations of peace. ; •' , ■■