UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION

Hawera Star, Volume L, 19 February 1931, Page 5

UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING AT ROTORUA

(Special to “The Star/’) ROTORUA, Feb. 19. Prior to the commencement of the business at the annual general meeting of the United Press Association of New Zealand Ltd., held this morning, thechairman (Air E. Abbey Jones) asked members to acquiesce in the following resolution, which was carried in silence, all members standing: That members of the United Press Association gathered at the annual general meeting record their profound sorrow Jit the great calamity that has fallen upon the Dominion consequent on the Hawke’s Bay earthquake and rise as a mark of respect to the dead, condolence with the relatives of the deceased ,and also to express their sympathy to those who suffered personal injury and financial loss.

In moving the adoption of the animal report and statement of accounts, the chairman remarked that during the 51 years the organisation had been in existence no greater disaster had happened to any of its members comparable to the loss suffered by the ‘ ‘ Hawke’s Bay Herald, ’’the “ Hawke’s Bay Tribune,” and the “Napier Daily Telegraph” companies through the earthquake on February 3. All shareholders would, he felt sure, join in extending congratulations to Sir Cecil Leys, who had been honoured by His Majesty the King with a knighthood. Sir Cecil was a member of the board of the association, and lia-d twice been chairman. The cable figures for the vear showed that the number of words distributed to morning newspapers was 482,153 and to evening papers 477,537. The international figures were 343,376 and 396,130 respectively, and the Australian 138,777 and 81,427. The thanks of the Association were due to the secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department, Mr G. McNamara, for the able manner in which his department had coped with the excessive strain of the recent disaster, running a continuous 24-hour service, and handling thei greatest number of words in the history of the department. After referring to the most notable events of the year, the chairman said it could be stated with confidence that the international service had kept New Zealand well informed of world events. Special efforts had been made to cope with the recent disaster in Hawke’s Bay, and despite all obstacles a splendid service had resulted, the agents’ reports being free from any' exaggeration or luridness in description and generally in keeping with the highest standard of excellence in Now Zealand journalism. In referring to the outstanding events of the year, the chairman mentioned the retirement and subsequent; death of Sir Joseph Wa.rd, the accession of the Forbes Government, the visit of the British Rugby team, the alpine disaster at Mount Cook, and the visit of Sir Otto Niemeycr. The change in management: was also touched upon by Mr Abbey .Tones consequent upon the retirement on superannuation of Mr Ataek after 45 years’ service .and the appointment of Mr A. B. La.ne. Opportunity' would lie taken curing the conference to make suitable recognition of Mr Atack’s lifetime of service to the Association.