THE PRESS ASSOCIATION.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1237, 17 July 1872, Page 2

THE PRESS ASSOCIATION.

The following explanation of the position and purpose of the New Zealand Press Association is given bythe Lytklton Times : — „ . • ' ■; The Association is a combination, as most associations are ; it has definite aims and objects ; and it already includes some dozen or more of the principal, papers published in the Colony. It is to the interest of the public that they should be . supplied with the fullest and most reliable telegraphic summaries of news from all parts of the world, and from the neighboring colonies. This is more' especially the case when we consider that in a few months, bar unforeseen and unexpected accidents, the Anglo- Australian, Telegraph will be at work. Then we shall in very truth be in comparatively close, com-. . munication with all parts of the world, receiving reports, of social, political, and . mercantile movements, which w: 1 ! be~of great value to many and of general interest to all. Now, it must be evident that telegraphic summaries of this nature will cost a good deal of money, and equally evident that the .increased expense to newspaper, proprietors can only be' borne by them in one of two ways— either they must raise ihe price of their wares, or they must combine for mutual aid, and we may add mutual protection. The Press Association is simply, then, a combination of men or companies having a _ community of interests, and, desiring to ~ assist each other in carrying on their business to the satisfaction of their customers. - Similar associations exist in America, the Australian colonies, and elsewhere, and we have no hesitation in saying that, if they had not existed, the people of these countries could not have been supplied with such full and complete digests of news, unless at a much higher charge. . The Australian Associated Press have an agreement with the übiquitous Reuter, in which he contracts to Bupply that body, and it alone in Australasia, with his telegrams. By paying a certain amount per annum to ; the Associated Press of Australia) ■ the New Zealand Press Association have been, as it were, made free of the corporation, ; and it follows that no other combination can secure equal privileges. Router's agency is generally considered the best of its kind in existence, alike for the exclusiveness, promptitude, and completeness of its information. ; . .. Steamers leave Melbourne for New Zealand ports, : on an average, about once- a week, and Sydney for Auckland »t longer intervals. AU telegrams received by the Australian Associated Press, and published by them, up to the time of each. ; steamer's departure from either Melbourne or Sydney, will be available for the whole of the New Zealand papers if 1 they have agents at the port of arrival. > But, as a rale, an in f wval of/twelve hours or more will elapse between ihe latest publication of telegrams and the departure of these steamers. The Argus, for instance, goes to press about three o'clock every morning; at any rate no, telegram rece'ved later than, say two o'clock, in a general way, would appear . in any ordinary daily issue of the paper. Steamers usually leave; Melbourne for ' New Zealand at such an hour as will enable them to clear the Heads before dark. During the interval- «$l it twelve hours to be within the mark — telegrams may be, and are pretty rvn-tain to be, received through the Anglo-Australian line. The vei/ latest quotation for wool, or flax, or wheat, or any other important item, might arrive in that interval. It is only by an arrangement with the Australian Asso- ~ dated Press that the use of such telegrams can be obtained for the ..New. Zealand papers. , This arrangement has been made by the New Zealand Press Association, and it is principally for the use of these late-received, unpublished telegrams that .they pay a considerable sum per annum.