WORLD’S PRESS CONGRESS

Otago Witness, Issue 3205, 18 August 1915, Page 3

WORLD’S PRESS CONGRESS

A NEW ZEALANDER’S IMPRESSIONS. MR W. J. BRYAN AS AN ORATOR. WELLINGTON, August 12. Mr William M’Culiough, proprietor of the Thames Star, who was a Now Zealand delegate to- the World’s Press Congress at San Francisco, returned to Wellington today. All countries were represented at the congress except Germany. Journalists and newspaper propriettors from 26 countries were there, and Mr Adam Watson, of Tho Times, represented England. The speeches given and papers read were of a very high order. One of tho most brilliant in Mr APCullough’s estimation was that on tho United States law of libel, by a newspaper representative, who was also a solicitor. In the discussion both Air Alark Cohen (Dunedin) and Air M’Culiough took a leading part. “Mr Cohen is a.- authority on this subject,” remarked Air M‘Cullough, “and both ho and I have devoted years of study to it. The most prominent feature, to my mind, of the congress was tho speech of Air William Jennings Bryan on tho “Relations of the Newspapers of the World to the State.” Air Bryan is certainly a most brilliant orator. Ho possesses a charm peculiarly his own, and one could listen to him spellbound for hours without noticing the passing of time. I imagine he was referring in the main to the papers of his own land, when he pointed out in most vivid language the faults of the press of to-day. - He drew some delightful pictures in words of what the press might bo and ought to bo, and what he believed it would be in time to- come. There is an ideality about everything Air Bryan says when ho speaks in publie which makes him a most fascinating man on the platform. He had a magnificent welcome from over 2000 people, including tho press delegates, when ho made his appearance at tho inauguration session. I have never heard such (spirited applause, nor any so prolonged. The congress itself was a great success; so much so, in fact, that it was resolved to make it a permanent institution, and that the next meeting bo hold two years hence at Sydney, Now South Wales. Alessrs Mark Cohen and Robert Bell wore elected vice-presidents to represent the dominion of New Zealand. Tho proceedings-of congress will be published in book form.” Of tho hospitality to tho visitors afforded by the people of San Francisco, Air McCullough could not speak too highly, and ho particularly mentioned the royal time provided them by the San Francisco Press Club, which gave a special Saturday night, restoring the “49” and all its diversions, those taking part in tho show wearing clothes cut according to the time.