EMPIRE PRESS UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18021, 21 February 1922, Page 8

EMPIRE PRESS UNION.

NEW ZEALAND SECTION. OVERSEAS COMMUNICATIONS. [M TELBdBAPH.—PBBSS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Monday. In a report submitted to the annual meeting of tho committee of the New

Zealand section of the Empire Press Union , reference is made to the efforta during the 1 yew of the council in England to further • the interests of the union's mombers both , at Home and abroad, and the fruitful work - accomplished. Among the principal activities of the council auriwr the past year were amendments made in the union's con- ' stitution, and promoting a deputation to I Mr. Winston Churchill, Secretary of State i for the colonies, to urge him to secure , consideration at the conference of Prime Ministers of the Empire held in London j in May last of the Bubject of Empire press 1 communications and the restoration ot dei ferred press rates to Canada, Australia, i and New Zealand. It appeared certain that the practical result from the union's activities in these important matters will be beneficial alike to the newspapers and the community at large. Under the head of developinj speedy communications between the heart of the Empire and the Dominions overseas was mentioned also the proposed Imperial air service. "It is a source of pride to us to know," adds the report, "that the Empire is not lagging behind in tho utilisation of the great.scientific discoveries the post few years have witnessed. Among those discoveries wireless telegraphy and telephony and economio aviation may justly bo put in the foreground as matters of prime importance." After referring to the visit of Lord Northcliffe, who referred in complimentary terms to the tone and standard of the New Zealand press, the report mentioned that an important matter that is engaging the attention of tho council, and the details of which are still under consideration, is the institution of a scheme of travel scholarships for journalists. Under this scheme it is proposed that a trust shall be appointed ana a fund established sufficient to provide an annual income of not less than £1500. It is proposed that in addition to chief transportation expenses a maximum allowance of £400 per annum, shall be made, that three students should receive a scholarship each year, the time allowed for holding it being one year, with power to the trustees at their discretion to extend the period. It' is also proposed that holders of the scholarship shall be of either sex under thirty years o! age, of British nationality, and born m the United Kingdom. In moving the adoption of the annual report Sir Ueorge Fenwick dwelt upon the developments m connection with wireless telegraphy, and 'laid emphasis on its value as proved by the stirring rescue of the CTew of the Helen B. Sterling by , H M A-S. Melbourne. He also mentioned the scheme for the interchange of journalists, pointing out that such a proposal if adopted could not but be of value to newspapers and their staffs. Referring to the death of the late Mr. John BlundeM, Sir George stated that the deceased was a friend to all of them. In his death the New Zealand Press and the Empire Press Association had sustained a very great loss. On the speaker s motion the delegates expressed mto with the relatives of the late Mr. BlunJ .11 The annual report and balance sheet . were adopted. Sir George Fenwick was re-elected president, and the following outSST committee w« : Mess». I Blundell, H. Horton, 0. W. Earle, P. | Selig, W. O. Weston, J. Coombe, A. , ■M$ col, M.P, H. Brett, and R. J. , Eour Mr. W. Easton was re-elected , audTtor and Mr. W. Dow secretary.