EMPIRE PRESS INTERESTS

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1931, Page 5

EMPIRE PRESS INTERESTS

WORK OF RECENT CONFERENCE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. , Rotorua, Last Night. The annual meeting of the New Zealand section of the Empire Press Union was held to-day, Mr. Henry Horton presiding. A motion of sympathy with those suffering in the Hawke’s Bay earthquake was carried, and reference was made to the practical sympathy being shown by the Empire Press overseas. Mr. Horton graphically outlined the manner in which the news from the stricken area had been dealt with, despite the disorganisation of telegraph services. A special tribute was paid to Commodore Blake and his officers for the very great assistance rendered in making available wireless communication. X

The most important newspaper event of the year, said the chairman, was the Imperial Press Conference, held in London in Juno last. New Zealand was represented.by a delegation of 12 newspaper men. Important business was transacted embracing proposals for the wider dissemination of news relating to Empire affairs both in the interests of Empire security and the extension of reciprocal trade; Empire Press'Union news letters for the wider distribution of information between the component parts of the Empire, covering economic aiid cultural development; cheaper means of communication; development of wireless telegraphy and the long-dis-tance telephone. The next conference of the union will be held in South Africa in 1935. A proposal is under consideration for the holding of the following conference, which is scheduled for 1940, in New Zealand.

Congratulations were conveyed to Sir Cecil Leys on his knighthood. An interesting description of the proceedings at tlie London conference was given by Mr. R. J. Gilmour, chairman of the New Zealand delegation.

The following officers were appointed; Chairman, Mr. Henry Horton; committee. Sir Cecil Levs, Messrs. C. W. Earle, L. P. Blundell.‘P. Selig. C. Stanley Smith, E. C. Huie, R. J. Gilmour, J. Coombe, W. C. Weston and A. McNicol; bon. secretary, Mr. G. C. Codlin; auditor, Mr. D. A. Taylor.