NEWSPAPER PROPRIETORS

Evening Star, Issue 20721, 18 February 1931, Page 3

NEWSPAPER PROPRIETORS

THE ANNUAL MEETING HEAVY PRODUCTION COSTS [Per United Press Association.] ROTORUA, February 17. The annual meeting of _ tho New spaper Proprietors’ Association of New Zealand was opened to-day. There were present: Air C. W. Earle (‘Dominion ’ and ‘Now Zealand Referee,’ Wellington, president), Sir Cecil Leys (New Zealand Newspapers Ltd.. Auckland and Christchurch), Messrs H. Horton, G. C. Codlin (Now Zealand ‘Herald’ and ‘Auckland Weekly Nows’). L. Blundell (life member), W. J. Blundell, E. Blundell (‘Evening Post,’ Wellington), J. Montgomery, A. M. Burns, and I l ', H. Walls (‘Press,’ Christchurch), E. C. Huio (‘Sun,’ Christchurch), William Easton (‘Otago Daily Times’’ and ‘Otago Witness’), C. S. Smith (‘ Evening Star,’ Dunedin), P. Sclig (life member, Christchurch), A. L. Muir (‘Poverty Bay Herald,’ Gisborne), A. E. Manning (‘Waikato Times,’ Hamilton), E. Abbey Jones (‘Southland News and ‘ Oamarn Mail’), R- J. Gilmour (‘Southland Times’), T. C. List (‘Taranaki Daily News,’ Now Plymouth). TV. C, Weston and J. Vnrnhani (‘Taranaki Herald,’ New Plymouth), R. H. Billons (‘Manawatu Daily Times,’ Palmerston North), A. J. Allpart (‘Timaru Herald’), R. B. Bell {‘Timaru Post, ‘Ashburton Mail,’ and ‘Ashburton Guardian’). E. Darrocli (‘'Timaru Post’), R. W. Roydhonsc (‘Daily News,’ Carterton), A. M'Nicol (‘Evening News,’ Danne* virke), P. Bond (‘Star,’ Hawera), H. W. Crawford (‘Northern Advocate,’ Whangarci), W. Kelleber (‘Mirror,’ Auckland), and W. G. K. Wright (‘New Zealand Dairyman,’ Wellington). . Apologies lor absence were received from Messrs J. Coonibe ('Evening Standard,’ Palmerston North), W. C. Whitlock (‘Tribune,’ Hastings), A. G. Henderson (New Zealand Newspapers Ltd.), S. R. Evison (‘Sun,’ Christchurch), A. A. Lucas, E. J. Earle (‘Evening Mail.’ Nelson), 1/. C. Young (‘Chronicle,' Wanganui), R. P. Furness (‘Express,’ Blenheim), 0. Johnson (‘Herald,’ Pahiatna), and J. M‘Millan (‘Guardian,’ Leeston). GO V E RNOR-G ENERAL’S CONGRATULATION.

TJio president read the following message from Lord Rledisloe“ Will you be good enough to convey to those assembled at the conference of the Newspaper .Proprietors’ Association my cordial greetings and ' earnest good wishes for the success of the conference? The continued welfare of the profession of journalism is supremely important, for by no other agency can so powerful an influence on public opinion and action be exercised. 1 am confident that- in no part of the world are the high traditions of the profession more jealously guarded and efficiently maintained than, in New Zealand. indeed, the high standard of meVit and the excellence which often characterise most of the leading articles in the newspapers of the dominion never fail to evoke the high admiration of visitors from overseas. Particularly in the days of difficulty and stress through which New Zealand is passing a clean and patriotic Press, directed by those who have genuinely at heart the future welfare and prosperity of the country and the happiness and contentment of all sections of the population, is an invaluable national asset.” . ft was resolved by acclamation to forward to His Excellency an expression of appreciation of the message and good wishes PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. Thb President, in the course of his opening address, extended to Sir Cecil Leys very hearty congratulations on the honour recently conferred by His Majesty. He said that Sir Cecil came of a family long associated with the newspaper life of the dominion, and had himself, over a long period of years, played a prominent part in the progress and development of ono of the leading metropolitan journals. A matter less pleasing to touch on, Mr Earle proceeded, was the outcome of the tragic earthquake shock in the Hawke’s Ray district, which had affected certain of ; their members. Three important provincial daily newspapers (the ‘Daily Telegraph,’ the ‘Hawke’s Ray _ Herald.’ and the ‘Tribune,’ Hastings) had their businesses wrecked and their .plant more or less mined by the collapse, in whole or in part, of their buildings, and in the two first-named,cases by the after effects of fire. Jt was a matter for pride that the members of the newspaper profession should have been almost the first in the heavily-stricken community to rise superior to their misfortunes and set about the colossal task of rehabilitation. Their combined effort had resulted in the early publication of a modest nows sheet, which had proved of great service in disseminating information and instruction to a people who were dazed and confused by the ruin and desolation which had so unexpectedly come upon them. In a few days the ‘ Daily Telegraph ’ had secured now plant and was in a position to bring out a publication of its own and to offer facilities for .the ‘ Herald ’ to do The ‘ Hastings Tribune ’ was also quickly in the field, and happily it was expected that most of its machinery and plant would bo salvaged and again put in use. The sympathy of all the members went out to the proprietors of these publications and their associates in the calamitous blow which had struck them. _ It was his desire also to convey his admiration of the splendid spirit in which they had faced an emergency unprecedented in the History of the dominion, and his sincere good wishes for the successful outcome of the heavy task with which they were still faced. Mr Earle said it was not only desirable, but imperatively necessary, in the interest of all, that_ the conference should devote, its main attention to the pressing problems associated with production costs. The position to-day, from the newspaper proprietors’ and newspaper managers’ point of view, was full of difficulties. They were faced with economic; conditions inimical to their interests, which in certain respects wore beyond theirdirect control. In other respects they could, by sound and prudent action, lessen their difficulties and place themselves in a position of greater strength to meet what undoubtedly must prove a period of financial and commercial stress and insecurity.

“ No doubt,’’ Mr Earle proceeded, “ many members have already taken steps individually to cut costs and minimise the effects of the losses of revenue following on tho general slackness of business. Wo have got to readjust our ideas as to what wo as newspaper publishers can at this time afford. For many years wo have taken pride—quite a legitimate pride—in the quality of the service supplied to tho public by the newspapers. Wo perhaps have been a little inflated over Uin compliments wo have received. It spurred us on to still greater efforts to cater for our readers at an ever-increasing cost. Fable services have been enlarged at charges which have grown higher and

higher. Wo have introduced more ami still more now features iu the way or special articles, special correspondents, and illustrations, and the telegraph runs have piled up. Larger issues have * )pe ’' necessitated, and the staffs have hee increased iu size. The Arbitral! Court awards added still further to the cost per head of. the increased stall. . Wo expended largo sums on new machinery and plant, many of the ottices to-day being equipped with the very latest and most costly printing appliances. We have been lulled into acquiescence in this state of affairs by a number of factors, the most important of which have been the general prosperity of the country and the consequent expansion in business. buou qualms as we have from lime to time experienced over the mounting costs ot newspaper production have been onset to some extent by the comforting knowledge that those costs were balanced m part by tho growth of onr business. In consequence, we have not always insisted the upward movement of costs as strongly' as we should have done, ilieio has gradually resulted a disproportion as between the growth of costs and the income, which, with tho drop in ieveuuo to-day, has become gravely accentuated. I think wo recognise the necessity for a thorough review ot tno position that has developed, and we aio all alive to tho fact that there should he as little delay as possible in taking definite action. In seeking a solution to tho costs problem there is one obvious step' to be taken. Iho linno Minister of the dominion lias already •riven the country a lead in this respect. Mr Forbes, who lias decided on a 10 per cent, cut in wages and salaries from Ministers downwards throughout tho whole of tho public services, is to he commended, and a similar course is open to employers generally as a necessary step towards tho restoration of the economic stability which has been so rudely disturbed by the slump m commodity prices. Tho necessity wo have recognised as newspaper proprietors to readjust the costs of production is endorsed and emphasised by the Prime Minister’s appeal. A percentage cut m wages and salaries, however, is only one movement towards the costs reduction. Wo still have a wide field to workon in feature and social services, which cannot bo justified in the conditions which prevail to-day. These matters should be fully discussed at the sectional meetings and some common agreement reached. It lias been suggested that in face of the increased costs of newspaper production the papers would be fully justified in withdrawing the present discount on the 2d paper which places the daily papers in the hands of people at lid per copy and make the price 2d all round.” Mr Farlo added that his personal view was that though circumstances might warrant the fixing of the price at 2d. it was inadvisable to take a step of this nature in the conditions prevailing today. It would be preferable to carry the existing loss on tho sales of papers, for the time being at least, and concentrate on such economies ns might be found possible without seriously diminishing the service rendered by the daily Press, t° its readers and the community in general. §