NEWSPAPER PROPRIETORS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3755, 2 March 1926, Page 6

NEWSPAPER PROPRIETORS.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. The annual meeting of the Newspaper Frcjnetora Association was held on Wednesday morning. There were present the following members: —Mr C. W. Earl (president), in the chair; Mer 3 H. Horton and G. C. Codlin (Now Zealand Herald), Auckland; W. Cecil Leys (Auckland Star), Auckland; L. Blundell, W. J. Blundell, and E. A. Blundell (Evening Post) and G. S. M'Nair (Dominion). ■Wellington; E. C. Huie (Sun), Robert Bell (Lyttelton Times), A. M. Burns (Press), and P. Selig (life member), Christchurch ; C. Stanley Smith (Evening Star) and W. Easton (Otago Daily Times), Dunodiu; Walter C. Woston (Taranaki Herald), New Plymouth; Trovor M. Geddls (Dally Telegraph), Napier (and New Zealand Free Lance), Wellington; W. Dinwiddle (Hawke’s Bay Herald), Napier; W. C. Whitlock (Hawke’s Bay Tribune), Hastings; A. M'Nlc.bol (Dannevtrke Nows), Dannevlrke; A. Muir (Poverty Bay Herald), Gisborne; 8. n. Paliner-Jones (WAngnhui Herald), Wanganui ; J. Coombe (Mp.nawatu Standard), and Robert H. Hlllone fManawatu Times), Palmerston North; Mrs M. E. Page and Mr P. Bond fJTawera Star), Hawora; Mrs E. L. Plrani (Feilding Star) Fetldlng; Hugh W. Crawford (Northern Advocate). Whangarei; R. P. Furness (Marlborough Express), Blenheim; A. A. Luene fNeiaon Mail), Nelson; E. G. Kerr (Tlmaru Herald) aud R. B. Bell (Tlmaru Post and Ashburton Guardian), Tlmaru; R. J. Gllmonr and W. F. Blsset (Southland Tlmea), Invercargill; W. C. Cargill (Morrlnsvllle Star), Morrlnsvllle; S. Craig (King Country Chronicle), Te Kuiti; Allan A. Fisher (Otautau Standard), Otautau j J,

H. M'Millan (Ellesmere Guardian), Leeston; A. E. Russell (Clutha Leader), Balclutha; Charles C. Rush (North Auckland Times), Dargaville; and W. G. K Wright (New' Zealand Dairyman), Wellington. PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. The President, addressing the meeting, said the past year had been one of more than ordinary interest on account of the Empire delegation, with Lord Burnham at the head, which had visited the Dominion. Though the stay of this party had been short, they had been able to see a good deal of the North Island and had met a number of members and had the opportunity of exchanging views and opinions which must prove of mutual benefit to all. It was gratifying to note the complimentary manner in which the visitors referred to the efforts made on their behalf, and appreciative and generous tributes expressed concerning the Dominion papers. Another item of interest during the year had been the honouring by his Majesty the King of Mr Henry Brett, now r Sir Henry. Last year the association had conferred on him the honour of life membership, and all would agree that his latest laurels were the deserved recognition of long years of service in Journalism in the Dominion. He was now a knight, and no one would congratulate him more sincerely than his old colleagues- of the press. The Chairman then dealt with many matters of internal interest only, and outlined the proposed campaign against the evils of free publicity. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Mr C. W. Earle (re-elected) , General Committee— Messrs W. C. Leys, W. Easton, W. J. Blundell G. C. Codlin, J. Cooinbe, W. C. Weston, and A. M’Nichol; Advertising Committee—Messrs W. Easton, G. C. Codlin, A. M. Burns, E. A. Blundell, J. Coombe, and R. P. Furness; Labour Committee—Messrs A. G. Henderson, G. H. Dixon, G. C. Codlin, C. S. Smith, R. Billens, and P. Bond; Parliamentary Committee—Messrs A. M. Burns, L. Blundell, G. H. Dixon, S. H. PalmerJones; Paper Committee—Messrs W. C. Leys, C. S. Smith, W. J. Blundell, Robert Bell, A. E. Manning, A. M'Nicol, W. C. Cargill; auditor, Mr G. S. M'Nair. GENERAL. Sir George Fcnwiclc was made a life member of the association. The President, addressing Sir George Fenwick, said: "It is time that wo made recognition of the long years of servico you have given to journalism and the newspapers of the Dominion. Wo have no honours to bestow beyond the tribute of electing you as one of our lifo members. We have two already, who have done great service to the newspapers of the Dominion, and you are the third to ba elected to this position. We hope it is not going to mean the loss of your active sympathy and. services, but rather that it will stimulofc jsr to turthor activities in the association; end onr members ask you to accept this tribute, with the hops that

you will live long to enjoy this, the highest honour that we can bestow upon you." Sir George, in replying, said that it was such a complete surprise that he was quit® at u loss for words to express his appreciate tion of the great honour they had done to him. In those very days to which he had referred, when he occupied the position ol president, he certainly did much in the interests of the association; but he felt that, during the last year or two, he had not been of that service that he should like to have been. In Mr Easton, who had taken up the detailed work of the Otago Daily Times, they had had a very able substitute on the association. While they were kind enough to express the hope that he would be stimulated to greater activities, he felt it was necessary that he should get some relief fiorn the many positions he held, and ho felt that it must be so as far as the association was concerned. Not that he would not take an interest, but it was necessary that the activities must devolve upon someone younger. He thanked them for the honour they had done him and the members for the expression of their appreciation of anything he had been able to do.” A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Dunedin papers and to the Exhibition authorities for the hospitality extended to the delegates. It was resolved that the next meeting bo held in Wellington. A proposal suggested by Mr W. B. Carmichael and brought up by Mr C. W. Earla to present trees for planting at the new Federal capital of the Australian Commonwealth, Canberra, was adopted at the meeting.