DOMINION PRESS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20426, 17 February 1938, Page 10

DOMINION PRESS

THREAT AGAINST LIBERTIES

SIR W. HORTON S CONCERN "A VERY DIFFICULT YEAR’’ (By Telegraph.—Press Association) ROTORUA Thursday The annual mepfing of the New Zealand section of the Empire Press Union was tmld at Rotorua to-day. In movfng the adoption of the annual report the chairman. ?ir Henry Horton, said that the year .lust closed Mhad been a difficult one for news~f I papers In the Dominion. Increased * I wages, shorter hours, higher prices ' for newsprint and other supplies had 'Madded greatlv to the cost of produe- | lion. i ' Not only have the difficulties of I thp New Zealand papers to-day been ‘ Commoivial ours, hut the publishers 1 have had many threats made hy our 0 political leaders against their liberties,” he added. "It has been suggested ' that all political articles should he . signed and nllier restrictions introduced. However, I believe that the ;; New Zealand people are proud of their press and I am sure they will raise M their voices with no uncertain sound ' jf any attacks are marie on its liberties. • The objects of these attacks have 1 only .me purpose and that is to re--1 dure ..ur influence. For these reasons it behoves us to be watchful and to I resist to the uttermost all attacks whenever they are attempted.” Publication of News Letter , Sir Hen>y said that the committee had decided to recommend the publication of a monthly news letter by M the New Zealand section in the same j manner as was being done by the Cann I adian. Australian and other overseas sections. ' J At the 193 S annual conference of the Empire Press Union in London. , (New Zealand would be represented by . Mr W. J. Blundell and another delegate who would be appointed subsequently. Appealing for increased membership of the New Zealand -section, Sir ; Henry said that the Empire Press Union was a very active body that was doinc much good In looking after the interests of the Empire newspapers and this surely was the time when it j was desirable to unite for the defence of those liberties that had been so suddenly snatched away from the press in many foreign countries.