Press Association Inquiry.

Hastings Standard, Issue 129, 24 September 1896, Page 3

Press Association Inquiry.

[By Telegraph.] [From our Sjuria! Correspondent, j Wellington, This day. The Copyright Telegrams Committee are expected to report to-morrow. From the general trend of the question it is unlikely that the committee will recommend the repeal of the copyright clauses, but they may suggest that conditions be attached. Later. The report will probably disclose the fact that the subscribers to the Press Association have no voice or control in the management of the Association or the fixing of fees ; and the abolition of the present high entrance-fees is certain to be recommended. The Secretary to the' Department gave evidence showing that the press telegram service last year cost the colony £20,000 odd, and that the press rates m New Zealand are much lower than those obtaining in the Australian Colonies. Stress is certain to be laid on this deficit, but as the matter is not within the Committee's order of reference, no recommendation is likely to be made as to increased tariff for press messages. To protect newspapers from piracy of cable news the retention of the Copyright clauses is certain to be advocated conditionally on the Press Association not being permitted to continue the charge of the present high entrance fees to newspapers desiring to join the service. The Committee, it is surmised, will further recommend that the Association extend to every subscriber a voice in its control and the management and that a uniform annual fee be charged to subscribers.