EMPIRE'S PRESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23274, 17 February 1939, Page 11

EMPIRE'S PRESS

BEVIEW OF POSITION

DISCUSSIONS IN LONDON

RELATIONS WITH GOVERNMENTS

IMPORTANCE OF FREEDOM

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received February 16, 6.30 p.m.)

British Wireless

LONDON, Feb. 15

Major the Hon. John Astor, chairman of the Times Publishing Company, presiding at the annual meeting of the Empire Press Union in London, announced that the theme of the discussions at the annual conference in June is to be the relationship between the Governments and

the press of the Empire. The oversea sections were already engaged in preparing papers on the various headings under which the subject was to be discussed.

A number of authoritative speakers had already consented to take part. This would be the first time that the Empire press had attempted a comprehensive review of its own position in the life and the structure of the Empire.

Major Astor added: "At a time when part of the world must almost have forgotten what a free press is, it may be opportune to remind ourselves and others of the part the press plays in maintaining the cohesion of an Empire in which foreign countries seem able to take a considerable interest."