EMPIRE PRESS UNION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 13 February 1933, Page 7

EMPIRE PRESS UNION

REPORT FOR ANNUAL MEETING A YEAR OF GREAT DIFFICULTY Matter’s of vital interest to newspapers in the Dominion arc reviewed in tlic annual report of the committee of the New Zealand Section of the Empire Dress Union, which will be presented by the chairman (Mr Henry Horton’ at the annual meeting to be held at Rotorua on Wednesday, 22nd February. Flio. report states:—

“The year just ended has been one of great difficulty and anxiety for news* papoi publishers. Notwithstanding falling revenue and the consequent strain imposed on the resources of all offices, there has been maintained a news service of exceptional merit. In the reorganisation necessitated by existing conditions the interests of readers have received paramount consideration. “Since we last met one daily newspaper, iho “North Otago Times,” and two weeklies, the “Otago Witness” and the “Taranaki Budget,” have ceased publication. In Empire circles features of interest have been the publication of the fifty-thousandth issue, on 13th September. of the “Morning Post,” and the introduction of a Roman heading and new type faces in “The Times.”. BROADCASTING “Members will have perused the report of the committee of the Council which interviewed the chairman, direc-tor-general, and other officials of the British Broadcasting Corporation on the subject of Empire news broadcasts. The committee had previously considered the competitive nature of the broadcasts and discussed this phase of the question with the director-general. As a result of the conference a Standing Committee hnr been set up for the purpose of working in close liaison with, the officials of the British Broadcasting Corporation directing the news broadcast. “The year has seen no advance to wards the goal of cheap Empire communications. For this existing economic conditions are no doubt partly responsible, but., accordimr to' what Sir Robert Donald said at the annual meeting of the Union, a revision of the system of control at Home is necessary. Tile Council will no doubt continue to seize every opportunity of stressing the vital importance of cheaper press cables. “Since our last meeting Mr C. W. Earle. C.M.G., completed 25 years as Editor-in-chief of the “Dominion,” and he has been the recipient of many congratulatory messages on his long and useful service to journalism. ATTACKS ON RIGHTS “It is a matter of rogret that reference must be made to further attacks on the rights and privileges of the press and to further imposts on the burdensome charges they already have to bear. “The National Expenditure Commission in its report bad some criticisms and certain suggestions to offer for the levying of additional charges on the press of the Dominion. In a spirited and effective reply the chairman of the United Dress Association, Sir Cecil Leys, has touched on aspects of the newspaper case that officialdom is prone to ignore. Sir Cecil, among other matters, drew attention to the fact that Ihe present telegraphic- press rate is three times the pre-war and approximately three times the rate charged for a similar service in the United Kingdom ; that the revenue from press telegrams provides a medium that prevents this need of commerce and social life from becoming an insupportable burden on the country, and that a steady flow of revenue is provided by the press charges carrying overhead that could, not be greatly reduced were the press messages suddenly to cease. Another indication of the attitude, of the Postal Department is to be found in the retention. of the high rate of postage on newspapers, despite the adjustments made in letter and parcel rates; also in the recent decision to charge postage on newspaper exchanges. “Consideration for public interests lias dictated much trenchant criticism of Parliament, and possibly this is one reason why politicians have shown themselves to he extraordinarily sensitive. Whatever the reason, we have witnessed something like an epidemic of breach of privilege eases in connection with which public indignation against Parliament’s actions has been voiced in the editorial and news columns of the papers. i “The statement of accounts of the Union discloses a. healthy position, and the sum of £IOO has been remitted to head office. Membership now stands at 16, with 43 associates. Two additional associates were elected at the last meeting. Messrs Robert 0. Horton, of Auckland, and Lionel C. Young, of Wanganui. Five resignations were received.”