PRESS CONFERENCES NEWSPAPER PROPRIETORS AND EMPIRE UNION

Evening Star, Issue 22275, 28 February 1936, Page 13

PRESS CONFERENCES NEWSPAPER PROPRIETORS AND EMPIRE UNION

[Per United Press Association.] NAPIER, February 23. At the annual meeting of the United Press Association Sir Henry Horton said he was sure it had been a pleasure to all the delegates who were attending the Press Conference to come to Napier on this occasion. u We remember sympathetically the terrible experience of the earthquake and fire which devastated this city and province and the courage- with which that disaster was faced. The new Napier of to-day is an eloquent tribute to the unconquerable spirit of the people of Hawke’s Bay, and we all hope they may reap a rich harvest for their determination and enterprise. The delegates to the conference have been most hospitably enetrtained by the people of Napier, and 1 assure our hosts that their kindness and cordiality have been genuinely appreciated.” He then moved the adoption of the report and balance sheet. The annual report and balance sheet were adopted. Messrs A. M. Burns (‘ Christchurch Press ’) and W. J. Blundell (‘ Evening Post ’) were re-elected unopposed as directors, and Mr O. G. Kember was reappointed auditor. A resolution conveying hearty congratulations to Sir Henry Horton and Sir James Hutchison on receiving the honour of knighthood was carried. At a subsequent meeting of directors Mr Trevor M. Geddis was elected chairman for the ensiling year. Mr Geddis is managing editor of the ‘ Napier Daily Telegraph,’ and was a member of the Empire Press Union delegation to South Africa last year. At present he is chairman of the Napier Harbour Board. Sir Henry Horton was granted nine months’ leave of absence from April in order to visit Great Britain. empire press union. Sir Henry Horton gave an interesting survey of the activities of the recent conference in South Africa, and this was supplemented by more detailed reference by Mr T. M Geddis and Mr E. G. Kerr, who were the New Zealand delegates to the-conference. It was announced that the next conference would be held in London in June. Sir Henry Horton was appointed a delegate, and another will be appointed later. Messrs L. C. Blundell, W. E. Crawford, J. H. Hall, and F. E. M'Cullough were elected associate members, and Mr T. M. Geddis a life member. Sir Henry Horton was re-elected chairman and was congratulated on receiving the honour of knighthood. Messrs A. M. Burns and T. Geddis were appoited to vacancies on the committee. Mr R. D. Horton was reelected hou. secretary and Mr D. A. Taylor hon. auditor.