CANADIAN PAYS TRIBUTE TO DOMINION PRESS

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 August 1947, Page 9

CANADIAN PAYS TRIBUTE TO DOMINION PRESS

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The newspapers of New Zealand are among the best in the world, declared the Canadian High Commissioner. Mr A. 11. Rive, when opening the newspaper advertising managers' conference today. He paid a tribute to (he accuracy of the reporting by New Zealand journalists. He said: “There is seldom a mistake, unless I make it myself.” Mr Rive held out little hope of relief concerning the newsprint situation. The world demand for wood pulp and its by-products from Canada was increasing. The same situation existed as with the hydroelectrical industry. “Additional capital has to be found, plants require enlarging and so on,” he said. “We have to recognise these facts and do the best we can. I see no prospect of any rapid improvement.'’

When emphasising the importance of the freedom of the press, Mr Rive said it was essential there should also be freedom in advertising. It was not wise that advertisers should be subject to control by newspaper owners any more than editors should not be permitted to express opinions freely and personally. He had found New Zealand advertising attractive, but thought there was room for improvement.

The chairman, M. W. W. Butchers, of Invercargill, said were it not for Canadian newsprint New Zealand newspapers would have suffered.