PRESS CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 6 June 1930, Page 5

PRESS CONFERENCE

OPENING ADDRESSES.

lUnited Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

(ReceiA'ed this day at 9. ami.)

LONDON, June 5

Mr, Lee Smith, a Cabinet Minister led off in the Empire communications before the Press Conference, Mr Blackett following. M r Lee Smith stated that the Karachi airmail Avould be extended to Australia though he Avas unable at present to specify the time, Avhich depended partly on the Comniomvealth. Mr Lee Smith evoked applause by suggesting the press might request loAver cable and Avireless rates. I might- point out the Post Office reduced the rates through the beam in 1926, though it no' longer controlled the charges. Mr Smith forecasted 24 hours Avireless telephony ex-Rugby, to all Dominions. This Avould be the world voice of Britain calling the Dominions and all nations of the Avorld. 'A British telephone subscriber could speak to ninety per cent, of the Avorld’s telephone subscribers. Rugby was becoming the Avorld’s SAvitchboard. Concluding, Mr Lee Smith said the Empire’s future depended on goodAvill and understanding, not on coercive conditions Avhereby nations had hitherto held themselves together. It Avas an Imperial task of the Post Office and Communications Company to promote that goodAvill and enable a supreme, political genius to express itself in solving inevitable difficulties. Mr Denison, in thanking Mr Lee Smith stressed the importance of communications as the lifeblo-od of the Empire. Mr Lee Smith had enabled them to realise Avliat the Post Office was doing for the Empire. Mr Blackett mentioned that Australia had to Avnit 30 seconds for the Derby result, Ho apologised for the lelav.

Mr Gilmour (New Zealand) praised tne ideals of the Imperial service. At this stage Mr Denison pointed out that the corner flag had covered Britain on the map. Delegates like to see the Old Country.