JOURNALISTS' INSTITUTE

Otago Witness, Issue 2949, 21 September 1910, Page 27

JOURNALISTS' INSTITUTE

CHEAP CABLES ADVOCATED

LONDON, September 13,

A civic welcome was accorded the journalists at the Guildhall. There was a large attendance, the Hon. Harry Lawson presiding. In addressing the conference, Mr Laweon dwelt on the Imperial scope tending to unity throughout the Empire. Cheapness of communication was necessary to that end. He emphasised the fact that owing to the demand for a direct British cable across the Atlantic, the Post Office must respond. Mr John Mitchell, of Dundee, has been elected president for. the ensuing year.

At the Journalists' Conference the honorary secretaries who were elected for the overseas dominions included Mr Douglas (editor of the New Zealand Herald). The vice-presidents include Mr VV. K. Triggs (editor of the Christchurch Press). King George cordially thanked the Journalists* Conference for its Saturday's message of loyalty. The chief subject of the day's discussion related to post office anomalies. September 14.

The Journalists' Conference adopted Mr M'Millan's resolution that the time had arrived for binding the Empire by means of cheap cables. Air Henniker Heaton suggested a conference of European postmasters to discuss the question of penny-a-word, ocean telegraphs.

The Hon. Harry Lawson, M.P., presided at the banquet in connection with the Journalists' Conference. There was an attendance of 350, among those' present being Lord Strathcona, Sir Gilbert Parker, and Sir W. Hall-Jones, as well as many Australasian, Canadian, and British journalists. Sir George Reid, in proposing the toast of the evening, declared that the Australian press was worthy of the highest traditions of the British press. He humorously suggested that the time was coming when every newspaper would strive to present both sides of every question for the public good. He wondered, too. vhen this mighty press would condescend to devote half a column daily to the great mass of the rising generation, in order to lead their youth along the noble paths of the great future that was awaiting them.