PRESS CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1920, Page 4

PRESS CONFERENCE.

(Per Press Association.)

OTTAWA, August 7

At the Press Conference, a resolutio liwas moved on behalf of British delegates, affirming the necessity ior better, quicker and cheaper facilities for disseminating news by cable, wireless and other methods, throughout the Empire and recommending the Governments of Britain, Dominions and India to increase communications and reduce rates, by subsidies to companies. Mr Donald, the mover, read a message from the Eastern Extension Telegraph Coy stating 4$ millions were being expended oil new cables and the Coy did not at present intend to reduce.

Mr Fairfax on behalf of the Australian delegation moved a similar resolution, but restricting Government assist, ante to the provision of cheaper and increased cable communication. Mr Denison, (Sydney), in seconding, stated Australian newspapers spent £IOO,OOO annually in getting cable news: He "•lid the Cable Coys had promised to nrtlier reduce their charges when the ; rofits exceeded £350,000 annually, i hey now exceeded half a million and l! e reductions were overdue. He urg- ■ d the adoption of a penny per word cablegrams throughout the Empire, as Lie Conference’s slogan. On Mr Donald’s motion, the Conference agreed to incorporate the penny a word ideal in a resolution the discussion on which wae adjourned.

OTTAWA, Aug S. The Australian Press delegates at the Ccu fere nee strongly advocated increased totalities for the dissemination of nev, of a kind which they said would be 'T!.o means of strengthening the Empire relations.” After a long discussion the Conference unanimously affirmed a motion recommending that the British and Dominion Governments should enlarge the communications and reduce the cable rates to ensure a full interchange of views. An Australian motion emphasising the necessity for press services to remain independent of Government or official control was supported by New Zealand and adopted. A morning’s discussion was devoted to a resolution incorporating Australian wishes regarding an improved cable sen ice, it being seconded by Mr Fairfax. A motion also was proposed by Mr Fink, seconded by Mr Braham, declaring the imperativeness of the independence of the press from official interferene \ particularly the undesirability of a c nsorship as applied during the recent war.

Mr Leys spoke regarding the serious shortage of newsprint. -He -suggested that Canada should show a practical Imperial sympathy by seeing that Australasia obtained reasonable supplies. Tn the afternoon the 'Conference listened to the representations of the Canadian Pulp and Paper Association mill interests. The paper,- as the position summarised by them went to show there was no hope of any improvement in tlie supply for Australasia for a considerable period. Tt was admitted this was owing to an extraordinary increase in tlie American consumption. That country is being given fully 75 per cent of the Canadian output. Mr Knight moved a resolution, affirming the necessity of increasing the paper supplies within tlie Empire, and urging the Canadians to give effect at least to their oft-expressed sentimertfs if or the promotion of Imperialistic unity.

Air Leys seconded the motion, which was appreciatively debated. Lord IL'mlmm in conclusion, urged the Canad m paper mill representatives to give full consideration to Australia’s requirements.