NEW ZEALAND PRESS.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18257, 19 February 1931, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND PRESS.

THE EMPIRE UNION

ANNUAL MEETING AT ROTORUA

ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

ROTORUA, Wednesday. The annual meeting of the New Zealand section of the Empire Press Union was held to-day, Mr H y Horton, chairman of the section, P “motion of sympathy with the sufferers in the Hawke’s Bay earthquake was carried. ,Mr Horton outlined the mannei in which the news from the stricken area had been transmitted in spite of disorganisation of the telegraph services. Continuing, Mr Horton said the most important newspaper event or the year was the Imperial Press Conference held in London in June New Zealand was represented by a delegation of 12. The next Imperial Conference is to be held in South Africa in 1935, and a proposal is under consideration for the holding of the following conference, scheduled for 1940, in New Zealand. The following officers were elected: Chairman, Mr Henry Horton; cornmittee, Sir Cecil Leys, Messrs C. V>. Earie, L. P. Blundell, P- Se-lig, C. Stanley Smith, E. C. Huie, R. J. Gilmour, J. Coombe, W. C. Weston, A. McNicol; lion, secretary, Mr G. C. Codlin; auditor, Mr D. A. Taylor.

UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION

THE CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS,

ROTORUA, Thursday. Prior to the commencement of the business at the annual general meeting of the United Press Association of New Zealand, Limited, this morning, the chairman (Mr E. Abbey Jones) asked members to acquiesce in the following resolution, which was carried in silence, all members standing: That members of the United Press Association record their profound soirow at the great calamity, that has fallen upon the Dominion consequent on the Hawke’s Bay earthquake. In moving the adoption of the annual report and statement of accounts the chairman remarked that during the 51 years the organisation had been in existence no greater disaster had happened to any of its members comparable to the loss suffered by the Hawke’s Bay Herald, the Hawke’s Bay Tribune and the Napier Daily Telegraph companies through the earthquake on February 3. The cable figures for the year showed that the number of words distributed to morning newspapers was 482,153 and to evening papers 477,537. The international figures were 343,376 and 396,110 respectively, and the Australian 138,777 and 81,427. The 'thanks of the association were due to i the secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department, Mr G. McNamara, for the.able manner in which his department had coped with the excessive strain of the recent disaster, i After referring to the most notable I events of the year the chairman said it could be stated with confidence thal tho International Service had kept New- ! Zealand well informed of world events. The change in management was touched upon by Mr Abbey Jones, consequent upon the retirement on superannuation of Mr Atack after 4 5 years’ service and the appointment ol Mr A. B. Lane. Opportunity would be taken during the conference to make suitable recognition of Mi' j Atack's lifetime of service to the association.

Subscriptions Remitted. It was decided to remit all sub scriptions due from the papers affected by the earthquake, amounting k approximately £1350, for the year. The annual report and balance.sheet were adopted. The meeting approved of the resolution protesting against the attitude of the Cricket Council in refusing to grant recognition to the Association's representative reporting the tour of the New Zealand cricket team in Britain.

Messrs C. Stanley Smith and W. Easton were re-elected directors, and Mr O. G. Kember was re-elected auditor.

It was resolved that the next meeting of the Association be held at Auckland. The presentation of a substantial cheque was made to the retiring manager, Mr W. H. Alack, to whoso ability and fidelity many tributes were paid.

Chairman of Board of Directors. Mr A. M. Burns, general manager of the Christchurch Press Co., was to-day elected chairman of the Board of Directors of the United Press Association of New Zealand for the ensuing year. Mr Burns was for 17 years on the staff of the Press Association in Wellington and at Cable Bay, Nelson, having joined as a cadet. He left the Association’s service to take up the position of sub-editor on the Christchurch Press, from which he rose to the managerial chair.

NEWSPAPER PROPRIETORS. ENDORSE PREMIER’S ACTION. (By Telegraph.-—Press Association.) ROTORUA, Wednesday. At the annual meeting of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association it was decided that the next annual conference be held at Auckland. The following resolution was carried:—"That we place on record endorsement of the Prime Minister's proposals in regard to a 10 per cent, cut in wages and salaries.’’ Air C. W. Earle was elected president and general and sectional committees were appointed.