N.Z. PRESS ASSOCIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1921, Page 1

N.Z. PRESS ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING. nv telegraph—run press association] WELLINGTON, Eeb 23. The annual meeting of the Press Association was held to-day 31, members being present. .Sir George Fenwick presided.

The annual report stated 731,1D0 words of original cubic news had been supplied during Cm year, an increase of 54,710. The excessive delay on cable routes experienced during the war had disappeared, but there was still an amount at times especially on messages for evening papers. A new agreement for a cable service was entered into with the United Service Ltd., which included Reuter, for a term of three years, from July last. Reference was made to the increase of Press rates certain modifications of which were to be proposed to the Postmaster General next day.

Questions of the reduction of messages would he a matter for consideration, hilt the report pointed out that there was not a great deal of scope in this direction, as they had already been reduced to pre-war .conditions. Members were invited to notice that Occasional attempts have been made to discredit the reliability of the British cables dealing with the prices of commodities and the trend of trade. So far, the Yeport said, there was no evidence in support of this criticism laid before the management;, if any were proffered it would lie investigated, but there was every reason to believe that the confidence enjoyed by the Association cable service would be maintained. It was mentioned that the Association’s office had been temporarily removed to another building in the same block, and that the directors were in treaty for a permanent office. The number of subscribers was stated at il. The Chairman gave an address on the operations of the year. The report and balance sheet were passed. Messrs 1). Blundell and P. Selig retiring directors, were re-elected Wellington was selected for the next place df meeting. After the ordinary meeting was held at which a number of amendments were made in the articles of the Association ytlie principal of which was to more clearly define the position of companies holding shares in the Association. At a meeting of directors afterwards, Mr C. S. Smith (Dunedin Star), was elected chairman for the ensuing year. >