NEW ZEALAND PRESS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22504, 23 February 1935, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND PRESS

ANNUAL MEETING OF ASSOCIATION ' (Per United Press Association) ROTORUA, February 22. Tributes to the memory of prominent and valued members of the United Press Association who had passed away during the year were paid by the chairman (Mr C. Stanley Smith) as a preface to his address at the annual meeting of the association to-day. After referring to the fact that Mr Louis P. Blundell had been a director of the association for just over 40 years, Mr Smith said: “ When we look back on the past generations of men who upheld the freedom, prestige and dignity of the press in this Dominion, we must feel genuine admiration for their sterling qualities of character, integrity and foresight. They built on sure foundations, and the press of to-day owes more to their vision and ideals than is generally realised. _ _Mr Blundell was one of the last surviving links between the old journalism and the new. He had taken an active and practical part in the early days of Wellington’s newspaper history, and the evidences of his continued capacity were written plainly for all to see in the building up and development of the newspaper with which successive generations of the Blundell family have been so honourably and intimately associated. It was not the least of his attractive qualities that, in spite of his length of years, he remained always youthful in spirit and progressive in mind. His genial, lively and kindly personality endeared him to numberless friends, and he enjoyed the affection as well as the esteem and confidence of newspaper people in all parts of New Zealand. Our annual gatherings, which he attended faithfully for so many years, will miss a familiar figure, and the association itself has lost the services of one who was a tried and true friend and counsellor. His long connection with the Press Association has been ended, but the memory of a very fine personality will be with us always. . “ The sudden passing of Mr T. C. List was sincerely mourned by many friends in newspaper and other circles. He had never spared himself, giving generously in personal services as well as financially to those social* and philanthropic movements which were dear to his heart. His services to the newspaper industry in New Zealand were of the most valuable and practical description. His intimate knowledge of all phases of newspaper work and production invested his advice with a weighty authority. He took a large view of his responsibilities and duties towards the industry in the Dominion, and his contributions to its welfare were distinguished by the good sense of a practical and wellinformed mind. Mr List had been one of the most active members of the association, and for a period of three years —from 1929 to 1932—was a valued representative of the provincial press on the Board of Directors. His death at a comparatively early age was a sad blow to his family and friends, who received in fullest measure the sympathy of members of this association. “ The association also lost a respected member through the death of Mr H. G. Kerslake, of the Levin Chronicle. Mr Kerslake was very favourably known to all of us, and I am sure that members regret his untimely passing. This is an appropriate time to refer also to the death of two old journalists, Messrs V,’, H. Triggs and R. A. who were well known all over the Dominion for their capacity for public service as well as for, their distinguished work in journalism.” The year 1934 had been an extremely eventful one, a multiplicity of important and sensational occurrences providing a succession of tests of the efficiency of the international news collecting and cabling organisations to which the association was affiliated. It could be claimed with confidence that the services rose to the occasion, and made available to subscribers and the public accurate, comprehensive and graphic reports of events and movements which were of world-wide interest and importance. The standard of the association’s news services had been maintained, and a progressive and enterprising policy had been fostered. An index of the news interest of the year was the increase that was recorded in the number of words received by cable and wireless during 1934. The total for the year was 1,173,073, as compared with 1,095,308 for 1933, an increase of 77,765 words. Every phase of international news was carefully and skilfully recorded, so that .the newspaper reading public in New Zealand received a faithful, informative and impartial presentation of the news of the world. The chairman stated that an arrangement had been made between the Press Association and the Broadcasting Board under which the four main YA stations would broadcast the cable service during the evening news session. This agreement was the result of a conference held recently between the directors and the chairman and general manager of the Broadcasting Board. The report and balance sheet were adopted. Resolutions of sympathy with the relatives of deceased members were passed. Sir Cecil Leys and Mr Henry Horton were re-elected directors representing the metropolitan newspapers, and Messrs E. G. Young (Wanganui) and T. M. Geddis (Napier) were elected to represent the provincial newspapers. Mr O. G. Kember (Wellington) was reappointed auditor. A Notice of motion given by Mr A. G. Warburton regarding the basis of subscriptions to the association was withdrawn, and the directors were requested to take the matter into consideration. Votes of thanks were passed to the chairman, manager and staff. At a subsequent meeting of directors Mr Henry Horton was appointed chairman.

Leave of absence in order to visit the Old Country was granted Mr Stanley Smith and Sir Cecil Leys.