PRESS INFLUENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22966, 18 February 1938, Page 10

PRESS INFLUENCE

LIBERTIES ASSAILED NEED FOR UNITED DEFENCE EMPIRE UNION MEETING [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] ROTOKUA, Thursday The annual meeting of the New Zealand section of the Empire Press Union was held at Rotorua to-day. Moving the adoption of the annual report, the chairman, Sir Henry Horton, said the year just closed had been a difficult one for newspapers in the Dominion. Increased wages, shorter hours, higher prices for newsprint and other supplies had added greatly to the cost of production. "Not only have the difficulties of the New Zealand papers to-day been commercial ones, but publishers have had many threats made by our political leaders against their liberties," said Sir Henry. "It has been suggested that all political articles should be signed, and other restrictions introduced. However, I believe the New Zealand people are proud of their press, and I am sure thoy will raise their voices with no uncertain sound if any attacks are made on its liberties. The objects of these attacks have only one purpose, and that is to reduce our influence. For these reasons it behoves us to be watchful and to resist to the uttermost all these attacks whenever they are attempted." Sir Henry said the committee had decided to recommend the publication of a monthly news letter by the New Zealand section in the same manner as was done by the Canadian, Australian and other overseas sections.

At the 1938 annual conference of the Empire Press Union in London, New Zealand will be represented by Mr. W. J. Blundell and another delegate who will be appointed subsequently. Appealing for increased membership of the New Zealand section, Sir Henry said: "The Empire Press Union is a very active body that is doing much good in looking after the interests of our Empire newspapers, and this surely is the time when it is desirable to unite for the defence of those liberties that have been so suddenly snatched away from the press in many foreign countries." The following officers were elected: — Chairman, Sir Henry Horton; committee, Sir Cecil Leys, Messrs. C. W. Earle, P. Selig, C. Stanley Smith, R. J. Gilmour, L. C. Young, R. P. Furness, W. J. Blundell, T. M. Geddis and W. Easton; honorary secretary, Mr. R. D. Horton; honorary auditor, Mr. D. A. Taylor.