Press Association.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1922, Page 4

Press Association.

AN N V Al. CON FERENCE,

[llV TEIiF.CHAFH —PER PHESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Feb. 22.

The annual meeting of the United Press Asociation was held to-day there being present: —Mr C, S. Smith (Chapman), Sir G. Fenwick. Hon W. J. Goddes, Messrs Horton, Weston, L. Blundell, Gidmour, Leys Selig, IV. Blundell, C. W. Earle Furness, Kettle, Coombe, R, B. Bell, R. Bell, Crawford, Manning, Easton, E. Abbey, Jones 11 ■ Jones, Mills, Dr Scholefield, Billons, Doyle, Lucas. Dinwiddie, Copping Whitlock, A. McNiehol, M.P., Atkin, Jack, List and Duigan. The annual report stated that during the year the cable service amounted to 840,464 words of original news, a record for any year. In December, 105,940 words were issued, which was also *■ record for any one month. The principal reasons for the increase were the cricket in Australia and England, Imperial and Armament Conferences, and Trish Affairs. A new contract had been made with the Australian Cable Association for ft further tqrrp of three years from January Ist next.

A new press tariff has been in force during the year, biit some modification had been obtained from the Telegraph Department, though the extra cost was still very heavy. Amongst other items th 0 terminal charges on cables had beep raised both in New Zealand and Australia, -which had 1 much iricreased' their cost.

According to gazetted' returns the amounts paid for nine months under the new tariff was £33,880. as against £25,117 under the old rates. Many telegraph offices formerly open on Sundays had now been closed, making it impossible to get news from them except by telephone. Hie chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, gave au interesting description of the proceedings at the World’s Press Congress at Honolulu and described the (extensive use now being made of the wireless telegraph in America. The motion was carried and Sir G. Fenwick and Mr E. S. Smith, retiring directors, were reelected. "Wellington was fixed a,s th# next place of meeting. At a subsequent meeting of the directors, Mr H. Horton, was elected Chairman for the ensuing year.