PRESS ASSOCIATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6319, 23 February 1922, Page 5

PRESS ASSOCIATION.

RECORD CABLE FIGURES FOR YEAR.

NEW TARIFF PROVES HEAVY BURDEN.

WELLINGTON, Feb. 22. The annual meeting of the United Press Association was held to-day Mr C. S. Smith presiding. The annual report stated that during the year the 'cable serviceamounted to 840,4.64 'Words of original news, a record for any year. In December 105,940 words were issued which is also a record for any one month. The principal reasons for the increase were the cricket tours in Australia and England, the Imperial and Armament Conferences, and Irish affairs. A new contract had been made with the Australian Cable Association for a further term of three years from January 1 next. The new Press tariff had been in force during the year but some modification had been obtained from the Telegraph Department, though the extra cost was still very heavy. Amongst other items, the terminal charges on cables had been raised both in New Zealand'and Australia, which had much increased their cost. According to. the gazetted returns the amount paid for nine months under the new tariff was £33,880 as against £25,117 under the old rates. Many telegraph offices formerly open on Sundays had now been closed, making it impossible to get news from them except by telephone. The chairman in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet gave an interesting description ot the proceedings at the World s Press Congress at- Honolulu, and described the extensive use now being made of wireless telegraphy in America. The motion was carried. Sir G. Fenwick and Mr C. S. Smith retiring directors, were reWellington was fixed as the next place of meeting. . At a subsequent meeting ot directors Mr H. Horton was elected chairman for the ensuing year. —P.A. ,