EMPIRE RAMIFICATIONS

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 21 February 1935, Page 6

EMPIRE RAMIFICATIONS

Important Part Played by Airmail Service

BIRTHRATE AND PROSPERITY

PRESS UNION CONFERENCE

(Bv Telegraph—Press Association.) ROTORUA, To-day

The New Zealand section of the Empire Press Union held its annual meeting to-day, Mr. Henry Horton presiding over a good attendance. The annual report referred to the loos to the New Zealand branch of the association during the year through the deaths of Messrs L. Blundell, T. C. List and the loss to the Press of the British Empire by the death of Lord Riddell.

The commencement of the air mail service from England to Australia in December marked an important step in the development of more efficient Empire communications. The hope was expressed that the service would be speeded up sufficiently in the near future to make mails connect with the sailing of New Zealand mail steamers from Sydney and that the air service would lie extended to New Zealand, with a distribution of overseas mails by air after arrival at the main air port. The chairman, in his address, made sympathetic reference to the late Messrs. Blundell and List and the services; which they had rendered to journalism in New Zealand. He referred to the fifth conference of the Empire Press' I/nion proceeding in South Africa, and stressed the point that the younger newspapermen of this country should make every effort when the opportunity was given to attend these qatheqings. Delegates had their knowledge of the Empire deepened and broadened in ways they did not fully realise at the time. The conferences served a most useful purpose in helping to a clearer knowledge and understanding of what the constituent parts of the Empire meant to one another. They helped towards the realisation of a value of Empire trade and Empire communication and the vast problems of Empire defence. They also helped newspapermen who attended to realise that had a duty to think Imperially. Such a course of thinking was linked up with the subject of migration. Great Britain was increasing its population, almost too rapidly, while New Zealand recorded the lowest increase for many years—about 10,000 whites, mostly babies, being some 2335 less than the / natural increase for the year. As soon as more of our unemployed population was absorbed, this country should again consider what it could do to relieve the too rapidly increasing surplus of the Motherland. The progress of the newspaper in New Zealand to-day wa s very slow, circulation being almost stationary, and with a steadily declining birthrate. the outlook was not comforting. If editors could take more interest in the children of the country and could educate married people to the realisation that children were more satisfactory and worth-while companions and brmighb more happiness into the home than either cats or dogs, they might be doing something to assist the general welfare of the community.

Every business and industry in the Dominion suffered because there was no appreciable growth in population. Deports of cases in court plainly pointed to thq fact that childless marriages and unhappiness frequently went hand in hand. A greater appreciation of the value of children would prevent much unhappiness. This otherwise took place in many homes. Now that the country, to some extent, was emerging from the depression, it was to be hoped that one of the first results would be a rising birth-rate. Concluding, Mr. Horton expressed, on behalf of the members, the deep regret that was felt that the. Gov-ernor-General and Lady Blcdisloe were saying their final farewell after a most successful term of office. If the Press always received from others the courtesy and consideration shown it by Lord Blcdisloe, there would be few causes for complaint. The untiring services and deep knowledge of our problems and valuable advice given, bis spiritedness, and the equally valuable help of Lady Bledisloe would cause them to hold their Excellencies in grateful remembrance long after their departure from these shores. The report and balance-sheet were adopted and the meeting passed a resolution of condolence in the death of Mr. L. P. Blundell. New associate members elected were Messrs D. F, O. Saxton (New Plymouth) and E. G. Kerr, Jun (Timaru). Mr Henry Horton was re-elected president. The retiring committee wa s reappointed with the addition of Mr. Walter J. Blundell. Mr. B. D. Horton was re-elected honorary secretary, and Mr. D. A. Taylor honorary auditor.