STRONG INFLUENCE OF FREE PRESS

Chronicle (Levin), 1 July 1946, Page 2

STRONG INFLUENCE OF FREE PRESS

- LONDON, June 27. In the las£ oflicial function of tlie Imperial Press C6nf erenco, tlie ; Unitea Kingdom brancli of tlie Empire Press Union cntertained overseas delegates in the liistoric Egyptian Hall, Mansion House, vvitli tlie LoTd Mavor of London, Sir Charles Davis, also as guest. The chairman, *.Col. Astor, • said the only' hope of salvatiou was tlie maintenance of peace. There was no more eft'ective force working for. pcace than tlre Britisli Empire and triere was no stronger influence than a free press in tlie hands of responsible people. The Empire Press Union existed to strengthen tlie bonds of Empire wliereof one was love of jieace. Lord Rothennore said one great lesson which must bc learut from the war was that the achieviiig of independeuco was not enough. Independence must also be maintained. However, independeut sections of the Empire miglit becoiue, they must assoeiate in tlie defenee of the freedom of the press and Parliament and all othcr things whereiu i they beJieved, otherwise they would inevitably full oue by one before euemies who always arose as agents of destruction. Mr. R. II. Billens, leader of the New Zealand delcgation, said they were certaiu that, as a result of experiences, Britain would r'etain the world 's spiritual and moraJ leauership.' ile liad brought t'rom New Zealand a threefold tribute — honour, gratitude and all'ection — and would Yeturn with tlie story of Britain 's eouragc, endurance and determiuatioii to niuintuin , the leadersliip only Britain eould give. Othcr delegates replied on behalf of Oanada, Australia, South Africa, India and West Indies.