CHRISTCHURCH MAN INVITED TO ATTEND MISSOURI FUNCTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18452, 1 May 1928, Page 11

CHRISTCHURCH MAN INVITED TO ATTEND MISSOURI FUNCTION.

MR P. SELIG UNABLE TO GO TO CELEBRATIONS AT SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM

A compliment has been paid to New "Zealand journalism in an invitation from Dr Walter Williams, dean emeritus of the School of Journalism of Missouri University, Columbia, United States, to Mr P. Selig, of Christchurch, to attend the anniversary celebrations of the school during Journalism Week, from May 6 to May 12. Dr Williams is a journalist a world-wide reputation. He was founder of the World’s Press Congress, and was' president until last year. He is now honorary president. Dr Williams has done a great deal towards the welding of the great English-speaking Press, which was consummated by the forma lion of the World's Press Congress. The letter addressed to Mr Selig was as follows: “ The School of Journalism at the University of Missouri celebrates during Journalism Week, May 6 to 12, its twentieth anniversary. It is. you know, the oldest school of journalism in the world.

“We plan to have some of our friend* participate in the celebration with dresses on some phase of journalism. 1 earnestly hope that you will be in the United States at the time, and that

you may be our guest and be one of the principal speakers. Your long and helpful interest in our work, your gracious and generous support and friendship are among our most cherished possessions. All this makes it seem eminently appropriate that you should do us the honour of making us a visit at that time. If, however, you find it impossible to be present, I hope to have from you a message to be read during Journalism Week, and placed in the permanent records of the celebration. You will later receive a formal invitation, but I am writing to you person ally in advance hoping that it will suggest and help to bring about your presence.” Mr Sclig’s reply is couched in the following terms: “I have to thank you for your letter of February 28, and your invitation to attend the twentieth anniversary of your School of Journalism Nothing that I can think of could afford me so much pleasure as to be able to say ‘I am leaving at once for the United States.’ Unfortunately, however, I am shortly due in Australia on another mission. I think I am correct in stating that American schools of journalism have sent forth a great army of journalists fitly equipped to bear the torch of faithfu l service to the great American public; Standards of journalism can never be too high, and while th? schools always keep this in mind there will be no fear that the education of the public through a free and enlightened Press will be unappreciated. The School of Journalism of the University of Missouri, over which you have so long and honourably presided, has, :n particular, been well known to me and other Antipodean journalists. The World’s Press Congress organisation, which you so well founded, will always stand as a monument to you and your labours in the interest of journalism. May I say in this connection that it was a great privilege and pleasure to meet you and the men and women of the American Press at the congress in Geneva. In the course of my fifty years’ connection with the Press of this Dominion and the Commonwealth ot Australia I may unhesitatingly stare that this was a milestone in my life that can never be forgotten. Thor-e----forc I most sincerely regret that I will not be able to visit the United Stages for your anniversary celebrations, especially, too, as I shall miss an opportunity of renewing many friendships and having fellowship with those members of the fraternity it was my good fortune to travel with cn route to Geneva on the s.s. Caramania in September of 1926. Men and women of high purpose and resolve, I hope they will, in conjunction with the newspapers of the other great English-spealc ing nations, continue to carry to their various discerning publics messages that will point the way for peace on earth and goodwill among men.”