PRESS OF NEW ZEALAND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 19 February 1931, Page 4

PRESS OF NEW ZEALAND

PROPRIETORS CONFER PROBLEM OF MOUNTING COSTS SPEECH BY THE PRESIDENT .ROTORUA, 17th February. The annual meeting of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of New Zealand opened at Rotorua to-day. There were present-—Mr C. W. Earle “Dominion” and “N.Z. Referee,” Wellington (president); Sir Cecil Leys (New Zealand N ewspapers, Ltd., Auckland and Christchurch); Messrs 11. Horton and G. 0. Codim (“New Zealand Herald,” ' “Auckland Weekly News” ; Messrs L. Blundell (life member), IV. J. Blundell, E. Blundell (“Evening Post” Wellington); Messrs J. Montgomery, A. M. Burns, and E. IT. Walls (“Tiie Press”, Christchurch): Mr E. C. Iluio (“Sun”, Christchurch); Mr W. Easton (“Otago Daily Times” and “Otago Witness’; Mr O'. Stanley Smith (“Evening Star,” Dunedin); Mr P. Selig (life member, Christchurch); Mr A. L. Muir (“Poverty Bay Herald,” Gisborne); Mr A. E. Manning (“Waikato Times,” Hamilton); Mr E. Abbey Jones (“Southland News” and “Oamaru Mail”); Mr TL J. Gilmour (“Southland Times”); Mr T. C. List (“Taranaki Daily News,” New Plymouth); Messrs W. C. Weston and Varnhani (“Taranaki Herald,” New Plymouth); Mr R. IT. Billons (“Manawatu Daily Times,” Palmerston North); Mr A. J. Allport (“Timaru Herald”; Mr E. B. Bell (“Timaru Post,” “Ashburton Mail,” and “Ashburton Guardian”); Mr E. Darrocli (“Timaru Post”); Mr R. W. Roydhouse (“Daily News,” Carterton); Mr A. McNicol (“Evening News,” Dnnnevirko); 31 r P. Bond (“Star,” Hawcra); 31 r IT. W. Crawford (“Northern Advocate,’ ’ Whangarci); 3fr IT. J. Kelliher (“Mirror,” Auckland); 31r W. G. K. Wright (“New Zealand Dairyman,” Wellington). Apologies for absence were received from 3lr J. Coombe (“Evening Standard,” Palmerston North); 3lr W. C. Whitlock (“Tribune,” Hastings); Mr A. G. Henderson (New Zealand Newspapers, Ltd.); Mr S. R. Evison (“Sun,” Christchurch); 31 r A. A. Lucas, 3H F. J. Earle (“Evening Mail,” Nelson); 3fr L. 0. Young '(“Chronicle,” Wanganui); 31r R. P. Furness (“Express,” Blenheim); Mr 0. Johnson (“Herald,” Paliiatua); Mr J. .McMillan (“Guardian,” Lecston).

GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S MESSAGE

The president read the following message from the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe :

“Will you be good enough to convey to those assembled at the conference of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association my cordial greetings and earnest good wishes for the success of the conference. The continued welfare of the profession of journalism is supremely important, for by no other agency can so powerful an influence on public opinion and action be exercised. I am confident that in no part of the world are the high traditions of the profession more jealously guarded and efficiently maintained than in New Zealand. Indeed, the high standard of merit, and excellence often, which characterise most of the leading articles in the newspapers of the Dominion never fail to evoke the high admiration of visitors from overseas. Particularly in the days of difficulty and stress through which New Zealand is passing, a clean, patriotic Press, directed by those who have genuinely at heart the future welfare and prosperity of the country, and the happiness and contentment of all sections of the population, is an invaluable national asset.”

It was resolved by acclamation to forward to his Excellency an expression of appreciation of the message, and good wishes.

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS Mr C. 3V. Earle, in the course of his opening address, extended to Sir Cecil Leys very hearty congratulations on the honour of Knighthood recently conferred by his 31ajesty. lie said Sir Cecil came of a family’ long associated, with the newspaper iife of the Dominion, and hud himself over a long period of years played a prominent part in the progress and development of one of the leading metropolitan journals.

HAWKE’S BAY EARTHQUAKE A matter less pleasing to touch on, 3lr Earle proceeded, was the outcome of the tragic earthquake shock in the Hawke’s Bay district, which had affected certain members. Three important provincial daily newspapers—the “Daily Telegraph,” ‘the “Hawke’s Bay Herald,” and the “Tribune,” Hastingshad their businesses wrecked and their plant more or less ruined by the collapse, in whole or in part, of the buildings ; and in the two first-named cases by the after-effects of fire. It was a matter for pride that members of the newspaper profession should have been almost the first in the. heavily-stricken community to rise superior to their misfortunes, and set about the colossal task of rehabilitation. Combined effort resulted in the early publication of a modest news sheet, which proved of great service in disseminating information and instruction to people dazed and confused by the ruin and desolation which had so come upon them. In a few days the “Daily Telegraph” had secured new plant and was in a position to present a more imposing publication of its own, and offer facilities for the “Herald” to do likewise. The Hastings “Tribune” was also quicklv in the field, and happily it is expected that most of its machinery and plant will he salvaged again and put to use. The sympathy of all members went out to the proprietors of these publications and their associates in the calamitous blow which had struck, them. They desired also to convey admiration of the splendid spirit in which they faced an emergency unprecedented in the history of the Dominion, and sincere good wishes for a successful outcome of the heavy task with which they were still faced

NEWSPAPER PRODUCTION COSTS Mr Earle said it was not only desirable, hut also imperatively necessary in the interests of all that the conference should devote its main attention to pressing problems associated with jiroduction costs. The position to-day from a newspaper proprietor's and newspaper manager's point of view, was full of difficulties. They were faced with economic conditions inimicablo to their interests that in certain respects were lievond direct control. “Tn other respects,” continued Mr Earle, “we can, by sound and prudent action, lessen our difficulties and jrlacc ourselves in a position of greater strength, to meet what undoubtedly must prove a period of financial and commercial stress and insecurity. No doubt many members have already taken steps individually to cut costs and minimise the effects of losses of revenue following on the general slackness of business. We have got to readjust oiuideas as to what we, as newspaper publishers, can at this time afford. Formally years wo have taken pride—quite legitimate pride—in the nnnlily of the Why ho overweight? Take Youtli-0-Form. 201 b. reduction 6 weeks. Ah solutely harmless.-—Nees, Chemist, Uardy-st.

service supplied to the public by the newspapers. We perhaps have been a little inflated over (lie compliments we have received. It has spurred us on to still greater efforts lo cater for our readers at an ever-increasing cost. Our cable services have been enlarged at charges which have grown higher and higher; we have introduced more and still more new features in the way of special articles, special correspondence, and illustrations; telegraph bills have piled up; larger issues have, been necessitated; stall's have been increased in size; Arbitration Court awards have added still further to the cost per head of the increased staffs; we expended large sums on new machinery and plant, and many of the offices to-day are being equipped with the very latest and most costly printing appliances. “We have been lulled into acquiescence in this state of affairs by a number of factors, the most important of which has been the general prosperity of the country, and the consequent expansion in business, finch qualms as we have from time to time experienced over the mounting costs of newspaper production have been eased to some extent by the comforting knowledge that these costs were balanced in part by the growth of our business. In consequence we have not always resisted the upward movement of costs as. strongly as we should have done. There has gradually resulted a disproportion as between the growth of costs and income, which, with the drop in revenue to-day. has become gravely accentuated.

NEED FOR THOROUGH REVIEW “I think we recognise the necessity for a. thorough review of the position that has developed, and we are all alive to the fact that there should be as little delay as possible in taking definite action in seeking a solution to the costs problem. “There is one obvious step to be taken. The Prime Minister of the Dominion has already given the country a lead in this respect. 3lr Forbes has decided on a 10 per cent, cut in wages and salaries from Ministers downwards throughout the whole oE the Public service. He iias commended a. similar course lo employers generally as a necessary step towards the restoration of economic stability. which has been so rudely disturbed by the slump in commodity prices. The necessity.we have recognised as newspaper proprietors, to readjust costs of production, is endorsed, and calls for Die action emphasised by the Prime Minister’s appeal; but a percentage cut in wages and salaries is only one movement toward costs reduction. Wo still have a wide field to work on in feature and social services which cannot he justified in the conditions which prevail to-day.”

PRICE OF NEWSPAPERS These matters should ho fully discussed at the sectional meetings, and some common agreement reached. It had been suggested that in the face of the increased costs of newspaper production, papers would bo fully justified iu withdrawing the present discount on the 2d paper which places the daily papers in the homes of the people at lid per copy, and make the price 2d all round. His personal view was that though the. circumstances might warrant the fixing of the price at 2d, it was inadvisable to take a step ot this nature in the conditions prevailing today. It was' preferable to carry the existing loss on the sales of papers for the time being at least and concentrate on such economies as might.be found possible without seriously diminishing the service rendered by the daily Press to its readers and to the community in general.

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

ROTORUA, This Day. The Newspaper Proprietors’ Association to-day decided that the next annual conference be held at Auckland. The Association placed on record endorsement of the Prime Minister s proposal in regard to a 10 per cent, cut m wages and salaries. , . , , Officers for 1931 were elected as follow President, Mr C. W. Earle, C M.G.; General Committee, Messrs G. S.’ Smith, A. M. Burns, G. C. Codline, E C. Huie, W. C. Weston, T. C. Lis., A. McNicol; Advertising Committee, Messrs A. D. Seabrook, E. A. Blundell, A M Burns, W. Easton, J. Coombe (substitute, T. 0. List), P. T urness (substitute, 11. W. Crawford);. Labour Committee, Messrs. S. R. Evison, F Aldridge, G. C. Codline, A. Blundell (llowitt J- Brown in consultant capacity) B. IT. Billens, P. Bond; Paper Committee, Messrs 11. Horton, W. J. Blundell, A. M. Burns, E. w. Time, W. F Bissett, A. McNicoll, W. C. Cargill; Parliamentary Committee, Mr L. P. Blundell, Sir Cecil Leys, Messrs E. C. Huie IT. Horton; S. IT. Palmer Jones, H. G. Kerslake; Treasurer, Mr W. J. Blundell; Auditor, Mr W. L. Page.