PRESS CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 22577, 19 February 1937, Page 3

PRESS CONFERENCE

HEAVIER COSTS DURING YEAR BUT HIGH STANDARD MAINTAINED [Per United Press Association.] TIMARU, February 18. In the course of a statement to the annual meeting of the Empire Press Union at the Hermitage the chairman (Sir Henry Horton) said his first duty was to pass a rot© of condolence with the relatives of the late Mr A. M. Burns, New Zealand’s oldest and most esteemed newspaper man. He was a valued supporter of the union, and loi many years served on the committee. Mr Burns was an idefatigable worker, a man of sound ability, and his deatn was much lamented by all. The chairman went on to express his pleasure at the success of a former secretary, Mr G. C. Codlin, who had received an appointment as general manager of the Melbourne ‘ Argus.’ He said the year had been a difficult one for the Press and the Dominion. The newspapers had had to face greatly increased labour costs, a higher cost of newsprint, and the competition of advertising over the air. In spile of these drawbacks, it was gratifying to notice that all publications had endeavoured to maintain the high standard that m the past had brought praise from all intelligent visitors to the country. This standard, he was sure, had done much in the past to assist in the development of the papers along solid lines, and was in striking contrast with the muck and unwholesome matter that was now permitted over the air from some minor stations. Liberty in many cases had descended into license, and some action should be taken in the matter in the interests of the people as a whole. Since the last meeting in Napier he had had the privilege of attending in London as a delegate the first of the recentlyinaugurated annual conferences of the union. Sir Henry reviewed the conference, making reference to the suggested amendments to the law of libel, and said a new Bill had been introduced into the House of Commons, but failed owing to its low place in the ballot to reach a discussion on the second ingSir Henry then read resolutions passed at the conference dealing with Empire communication for Press purposes, newspaper postage rates, censorships, property right in news, co-opera-tive Empire news service, interchange of journalists, and free publicity. Sir Henry said the second annual conference of the Empire Press Union would be opened in London on May 24. and he hoped they would be able to secure a representatiye delegation. END OF CONFERENCE The Press Conference was concluded at The Hermitage to-night with the general meeting of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association. A special dinner was provided to-night, when tributes were paid by delegates to the generous treatment and hospitality accorded by the Mount Cook Tourist Company. The delegates to-night were accorded a splendid view of the sunset on Mount Cook. Sir Cecil Leys said he had seen nothing finer in the mountains of India. Other delegates spoke in terms of praise of the scenery available in New Zealand.