PRESS ASSOCIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 February 1924, Page 2

PRESS ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING

WELLINGTON, February 20. Tho annual meeting of the shareholders of the United Press Association was held this afternoon. Tho report made mention of the increase in the cable news brought about by the amalgamation of the Aus«. tralian Press Association with Reuter, and the remodelling of the Sydney

“Sun” Service, under which it was anticipated that this year, one million words of cable news might bo received, It was stated the service now supplied to New Zealand papers was one they had good reason to be proud of. It had elicited the warmest commendation from persons well qualified to judge a point which was further alluded to by the Chairman, and later by the Manager, when they quoted the comments made in praise of the service bv residents of New Zealand and visitors from outside. The actual number of words received last year was 928.409. Arrangements were being made for the adequate reporting of the New Zealand Football Team’s tour. In Now Zealand, it had been a busy year for news, an unusual number of big sensations having to be reported. There had, the report stated, been complaints as to the delays in transmission, which there was reason to hope would he shortly remedied. The report added that the press rates were too high, while other postal and telegraph had been reduced. The present tariff still remained the same. In this direction, also, it was hoped there would be some modification. The Chairman, Mr Leys, in an interesting address, moved the adoption of the report and balance sheet, and. this being carried it was decided to print and circulate his address. The following resolution was passed:

“Tito members oi the Press Association, assembled in general meeting, respectfully draw the Postmaster-Gen-eral’s attention to the fact that, although press telegraphic messages were increased 200 per cent, owing to war conditions, and ordinary public messages only 100 per cent., a reduction has been made in ordinary telegrams, and press messages were excluded from such reductions. The members of the Association desire now to ask that consideration he given to the propriety of reducing the rate tor press telegrams.”

Messrs Blundell and Selig, the retiring directors, were re-elected. At a subsequent meeting of the Board, Air Selig was elected Chairman for the ensuing year.