EMPIRE PRESS UNION

Hawera Star, Volume L, 20 February 1931, Page 7

EMPIRE PRESS UNION

NEW ZEALAND SECTION

NEWS-GETTING IN ’QUAKE

(My TtlegrapU—Pi*** Association.)

ROTORUA, Fob. 18. Tlio annual meeting bf the New Zealand section of the Empire Press Union was hold to-day. Mr Henry Horton, chairman of the section, presided over a large attendance. A motion of sympathy with those suffering in the Hawke’s Ray earthquake was carried, reference being made to the practical sympathy being shown by the Empire Press overseas. Mr Horton graphically outlined the manner in which news from the earthquake area had been dealt with, despite the disorganisation of telegraph services. A special tribute was paid to Commodore Blake and his officers for the very great assistance rendered in making available wireless communication.

The most important newspaper event of the year was the Imperial Press Conference in Loudon in June last, said Mr Horton. New Zealand had been represented by a delegation of 12 newspaper men, the important business transacted embracing _ proposals for the wider dissemination of I news relating to Empire affairs both in the interests of Empire security and the extension of reciprocal trade; proposals for Empire Press Union news letters for the wider distribution, of information between component parts of the Empire, covering economic and cultural development: proposals for cheaper means of communication ; and proposals for the development of wireless telegraphy and the long-distance telephone. The next conference of the union would be held in South Africa in 1935. A pronosal was under consideration for the holding of the following conference, which was scheduled for 1940, in New Zealand. Congratulations were conveyed to Sir Cecil Leys on his knighthood.

An interesting description of the proceedings at the London conference was given by Mr R. J. Gilmour, chairman of the New Zealand delegation.

The following officers were appointed for the ensuing year: Chairman, Mr Henrv Horton (re-elected); comlnti+ee. Sir Cecil Levs, Messrs C. W. Earle, C.M.G.. L. P. Blundell. P. Selig. C. Stanley Smith, E. C. Hum, Tt. .T. Gilmour, J. Coomhe. W. C. Weston and A. McNicol: honorary spcretarv. Mr Cl. C. Codlin: auditor. Mr D. A. Taylor.