POWER OF THE PRESS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19333, 25 May 1937, Page 5

POWER OF THE PRESS

WELDING OF UNITY WORLD-WIDE PEACE AIM COLLECTIVE SECURITY (Elec. Tol. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. May 25, 11.50 a.m.) ' LONDON, May 24. Major 1. .T. Ast-or, opening the annual conference of the Empire Press Union at his home, in Carlton House Terrace, emphasised the auspicious nature of the occasion, inasmuch as it was Empire Day and the Imperial Conference was in session. English newspapermen, he said, emphasised the value of the services oi overseas journalists on British newspapers. Sir Thomas Inski]), the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence, delivered an address on the power of the press, especially for world-wide peace and Empire defence. He declared that the Rritish public must he taught to acquire a taste for Empire news, which at. present they did not prefer to sensational trials or public scandals. The Empire" press had’ah unequalled opportunity for welding the EmpifeAnto a. united whole. Empire defence was no longer solely the interest of the United Kingdom. Too much emphasis on the vulnerability of Britain and the trade routes to air attack tended to produce a spirit of defeatism, not in accordance with the facts. Our organisation was at present in full blast. All departments wore working with the greatest efficiency and at tremendous pressure.