IMPERIAL PRESS CONFERENCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18536, 5 April 1930, Page 4

IMPERIAL PRESS CONFERENCE.

FAREWELL TO MR E. G. KERR. Opportunity was taken yesterday afternoon by the members of the staff me “Timaru Herald,” to say farewell to Mr E. G. Kerr (managing-director) w'ho is to leave Timaru to-day to join the New' Zealand delegation to the Imperial Press Conference, which is to be held in London. Speakers representative of the various departments conveyed to Mr Kerr the best wishes of the staff for a pleasant trip, and he s made the recipient of a case of Loewe pipes as an expression of the esteem in which he is held by all employees. A silver plate attached to the case bore the inscription: "E. G. Kerr, Esq., from the "Timaru Herald’ staff, on the occasion of his departure for the Imperial Press Conference, London.” The gathering was presided over by Mr A. J. Allport (manager), who saw. that Mr Kerr had the distinction of having been selected as one of the New Zealand delegates to the British Empire Press Conference. Mr Allport congratulated Mr Kerr on having been appointed a member of the delegation, and said that all would agree that it was well earned and richly deserved. Mr Kerr was looked on by all members of the staff as an ideal type of employer. Mr Allport said that he had been with the firm a short time only, but he could bear out the opinion held by the staff. All regretted that Mr Kerr was departing for a time, but every member of the staff joined in wishing nim the very best, and sincerely hoped that his trip w r ould be enjoyable to the fullest degree. Mr Allport said that the gathering was the first at which he had been present with all the staff and he desired to assure Mr Kerr that he had every confidence of things running smoothly during his absence. But for the loyal co-operation of the staff, his duties would be more difficult Ih. n they were. Mr Allport thanked the staff for the way they had assisted him, and said that he looked forward to a continuance of that support during Mr Kerr’s absence. The speaker conveyed to Mr Kerr the very best wishes of the staff during his term abroad, j and presented him with a case of pipes. In handing the gift to Mr Kerr, Mr Allport said that he hoped that while Mr Kevr smoked the pipe of peace on the trip to Er gland. he would re-, member the staff at home in Timaru. (ApplauseL Mr A. E. Lawrence (editor) said that as a member of the Empire Press Union, he desired to congratulate Mr Kerr on the distinction he had gained iii having been chosen as a member of the New Zealand delegation to the Empire Conference. Not only could Mr Kerr regard it as a distinction for himself, but it was a reward for his long and wide connection with journalism in New Zealand, and further it could be regarded as an honour for the “Herald.” Mr Lawrence said that he believed the conference was poirg to bo one of the most important in the history of the British Press. It would be the fourth conference to bp held in London, and would be an exceedingly important one. The Press of the British Empire occupied a very high place, and they had it from | distinguished public men who had visited this country that the Press of New Zealand represented the highest type of journalism in the Empire. He could support Mr Allport in all that he had said in reference to Mr Kerr. If

he might be permitted to tell a secret, he said, Mr Kerr preferred not to have any publicity in connection with his departure, but they assured him that it was the desire of the staff to meet him on the eve of his departure, and give him a modest present to remind him of the staff, and to show him the esteem in which he was held by every employee. It was an easy thing to be a good public man. said Mr Lawrence, but it was exceedingly difficult to be a model employer. The staff had an ( affection and a regard for Mr Kerr which reached higher than the esteem in which an ordinary employer was held, and he could rest assured that the staff would pull together in his absence. Mr Lawrence said that he was sure that Mr Kerr would have a good time, and that the conference would go a long way towards cementing the ties of Empire, end would create a movement which would be for the betterment of the Empire. On behalf of the literary and night staff, Mr Lawrence wished Mr Kerr a very happy time during his trip abroad. Representatives of all types of the Press of the Empire would be assembled at the conference, and for all who .attended, it would be a wonderful experience (Applause). Mr C. E. Hassall (sub-editor), extended heartiest wishes to Mr and Mrs Kerr for a most prosperous trip. Replying Mr Kerr thanked members of the staff sincerely for the farewell which they had accorded him, and for their good wishes, and he returned thanks for the gift. He said that it would not have been possible for him to fiave received a more acceptable present, and he intended to make good use of them. Mr Kerr said that he took it as a great personal honour that he had been selected as a member of the delegation to represent the Dominion, and also as a compliment to the status of the “Herald” in the ranks of journalism in New Zealand. Up till the previous day he had not been able to give any information in regard to what was to be done in the way of business at the conference, but that

day he was in a position to do so. Addresses were to be given by two prominent members of the Labour Party on politics of the present day, and these would be replied to by two speakers on the other side. Following these addresses there was to be a free for all discussion. Some very interesting addresses were also to be given on Imperial communications, wireless, radio, air mails, and trade within the Empire. Continuing Mr Kerr said that those who had spoken had referred to him as a good employer, but he desired to say that he regarded the staff as an ideal one. and he had no hesitation in making the trip. No firm could wish for a more loyal staff, as was evidenced by the fact that many of them had been with the firm for a large number of years. Mr Kerr said that he desired the staff to know that the directors appreciated highly the services of the staff. In conclusion, Mr Kerr again thanked aff for their handsome present and very good wishes (Applause). The gathering then sang, “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” hearty cheers being also given for Mr and Mrs Kerr. Mr and Mrs Kerr will leave Timaru by the second express to-day for Auckland, where the delegation is to assemble, prior to sailing on the Niagara for Vancouver.