EMPIRE PRESS UNION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 27 August 1925, Page 6

EMPIRE PRESS UNION.

1I fcLEGAT ICS ENTERTA i N HI). (BY TELEGRAPH. PRESS ASSOCIATION. I WELLINGTON, Aug. 26, The Grand Hotel to-night was the scene of a function unparalleled in the history of Dominion journalism, when the New Zealand branch of the Empire Press Union tendered a complimentary dinner to the British, Canadi. an, and other overseas delegates, who are en route to the Empire Press Conference in Australia. Sir George Fenwick, the doyen of New Zealand journalists, presided over a gathering of about one hundred ladies and gentlemen, comprising about forty overseas delegates and representatives of the New Zealand press from all over the country, also Sir Francis Bell, representing the Government, Mr. G. W. Forbes (Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives), and representatives of the City Council, Harbour Board, and other local bodies, as well as men prominent in professional and commercial circles. _ The dinner proved most enjoyable. Sir George Fenwick, who occupied the chair as president of the New Zealand branch of' th© Empire Press Union, rose and proposed the toast of “The King,” which was drunk with musical honours.

In proposing the toast of “The Visitors” Sir George Fenwick said it had been a great pleasure to again meet Lord and Lady Burnham and the other members of "the Empire Press Union. He welcomed them and the other members of the delegation to this distant part of the Empire. The whole party so far had had an enjoyable time in tliao part of the Dominion to which it had, unfortunately, been found necessary to restrict the tour. As to the important conference of the union shortly to be held in Australia, the newspaper men in New Zealand realised with the visitors from Great Britain, and Canada that it had not only its business side from a purely press point of view, but also, that that consideration was transcended by its Empire importance, for the Empire Press Union was one more link strongly welded into the ever strengthening chain of Imperial friendship and consolidation. It was of great importance, that the press of the Motherland should, through periodical- visits from its owners and editors, learn something at first hand of the social and business life, of th© aspirations and fervent loyalty of the people of the Dominions. He went on to say: “These friendly visits of our newspaper compatriots will more and more tend to bind the Empire together, to cause a still finer appreciation of our unswerving loyalty and of our determination to stand by th© Old Land in all her trials, all her vicissitudes, all her efforts to tread the path of fair and honest dealing with other nations, and to secure above all the peace of tli© world. No one who gives a moment’s consideration to the great problems with which England is beset to-day, the problems of her commerce and industry, the problems in the social life of her people, the problems in the wide sphere of international relations, can doubt that it is vital to Empire interests that the Motherland and the Dominions should work closely together. There is no surer way of promoting this unity of thought and unity of" purpose than by recognising the press as one of the great factors in their ’ ’ Probably never in England’s history had there been a more critical position in many branches of her industrial liie than today, and if her trade continued to fail, away and the purchasing power of her people seriously lessened, then the Dominions would quickly feel the pinch caused by the reduced exports of their primary products’ and of lower prices. This cause and effect would act and react in ever widening circles. Major Astor, responding to the toast of the guests, said they had always heard much of this as the . land of opportunity, and they had not been disappointed. The difficulties of settlement had been overcome by the rugged British settlers. It was very good to see t-he results of juvenile settlement which was being watched closely and anxiously by the people in England. For all "the" delegates he thanked Sir George Fenwick and the others of the Empire Press Union who had done so much to make the tour in New Zealand enjoyable. The delegates represented all parts of the Empire, and this portion of the tour had been a most pleasant and profitable feature of this year’s conference. As they passed, along the All Red route they realised that all formed on© economic unity, and how the fortunes of one affected all. The gold standard of fair dealing which they upheld meant all that was good and true in the part in played for the welfare of mankind, and that standard was essentially British. Major Astor eulogised the services of New Zealanders in the war,. and aroused warm applause by his reference to the fact that war service had joined all in the bond of Empire unity. Sir Harry Brittain opened with a reference to the leaders of the Empire Press Union now gone. New Zealand was typically loyal to the Crown, and in commerce New Zealand’s output per caoita beat the world. On Empire Day lie alluded to this at a luncheon in the House of Commons, at which everything needed was produced in the Empire. Why conlcl not every day he an Empire Day? It was possible to use all Empire goods, and it- ought to be done.

Mr. John Basset (Montreal Gazette), responding; for the Canadian delegates, paid a tribute to the work of the New Zealand branch of the Empire Press Union in the organisation of the tour in the Dominion. Canada wanted trade with New Zealand, but she had political difficulties of her own, and if at times she seemed not i n sympathy with New Zealand, for instance, this * fact needed to, lie remembered. Mr. Bassett concluded with an expression of hope that New' Zealand’s future would be of the brightest. Sir Francis Bell proposed the toast cf the chairman, which, was drunk with great heartiness. Sir George briefly replied, and the proceedings closed amidst enthusiasm when Lord Burnham, in a- short speech, paid a tribute to the work done by Mr. L. J. Berry in organising and carrying out the tour, and made a presentation to Mr. Berry from the overseas delegates in recognition of that work, which had produced so much enjoyment for them .i n the tour through. New. Zealand. The proceedings closed with the singing of the National Anthem. PARTY AT CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 26. As tlie guests of the newspaper companies in' - Christchurch a party from the Empire Press delegation spent a busy time in Christchurch to-day in sightseeing and cnetcrtainnieiit. Hie uartv commised Sir Frank end Lady Ncwiies, Sir Emsley and Lady Carr, and Messrs E. Wood he ad and b. J ■ Higginbottom. The visitors went north this evening.