PRESS CONFERENCE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 February 1920, Page 3

PRESS CONFERENCE.

—' NEWSPAPER PROPRIETORS. (For Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Eeh. 23. The annual meeting of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of New Zealand was held last evening. Mr P. Selig (President) was 'in the chair. The Prime Minister opened the proceedings. Mr Skerrett, K.C., waited on the Association to- acquaint it with the aims and objects of the Welfare League. < « The President spoke of _ the knighthood which his Majesty had conferred upon Sir George Fenwick.

The meeting passed a resolution that the members of the Association desire to place on record their great satisfaction at the honour conferred on Sir George Fenwick by his Majesty, and to express the hope that Sir George and Lady Fenwick will long continue to enjoy the well-merited distinction. Sir George Fenwick replied that he looked upon the distinction accorded hint less as an honour done

io him than as an honour done to Hie profession of journalism in New Zealand. The President made complimentary references in his address io Mr A. McNiool (Danncvirke), who had been elected to Pari lament; to Mr Robert Bell, wlm during the year had made a gift to the Canterbury University College of £3OOO to found a school of journalism; and to Mr Brett and his colleagues, whose paper, the “Auckland Star,” had attained its

fiftieth birthday. Mr Selig expressed some apprehension about the future supplies of paper for printing, and also referred to the World’s Press Congress to he held at Sydney in October.. He announced that the Government had decided to invite the delegates attending the Congress from other parts to visit New Zealand. SPEECH BY PREMIER.

The Prime Minister was presentat the opening of the annual conference of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association. He w tipwelcomed by the President of the Association (Mr P. Selig). Mr Massey said he realised the importance of gatherings of pressmen. The Imperial Conference of .1919 had proved a very valuable influence in the cultivation of sound Imperialism. He believed those New Zealand journalists who attended the conference, and who subsequently wrote from an Imperial standpoint iu their newspapers, had been a factor in providing a basis of the fine effort, made during the war. New Zealand pressmen had not much to learn from the pressmen of the United Kingdom. He would sav in this connection that he did not. like the idea of newspaper combinations for political purposes on the lines made familiar by the Northcliff’e press. It had been the boast of the men who controlled the Nortlicliife press that they could make and unmake governments, and influence the course of* political life in Britain. That was not a desirable state of affairs, and it Avas not good for the Empire. It was true that the Northclilfe newspapers had done somevery good -Avork during the war, particularly during 1916. but the - i,i-

direction oi public affairs by ugavspapers was not a right thing. The cable neAvs service from Britain to New Zealand, Mr Massey asserted, Avas quite good, though occasionally it admittedly contained traces of “inspiration,” but the news sent from New Zealand to Britain Avas inadequate in quantity and poor in quality. Often it Avas ludicrous. Australia Avas securing a great deal of publicity in ilie British press through Avell organised channels, and .Canada the same. New Zealand seemed to have been left iu the cold. It Avonld he necessary if publicity could not be obtained in any other Avay to arrange for the despatch io Britain of a weekly ugavs cablegram from Ngav Zealand. This news could then be handed by the High Commissioner to any newspapers that would publish it. There should he no political colour about such messages, and he Avonld prefer to luwe them sent by the press.