UNITED PRESS ASSN

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1931, Page 6

UNITED PRESS ASSN

CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS. [By Telegraph, Per Press Association.] ROTORUA, February 19, ■ Prior to l lie commencement ol Ihe business fit the annual general meeting of Hit? United Press Association ol New Zealand Ltd, held this qiorning, the Chairman (Air K. Abbey Jones) asked members to acquiesce in the billowing resolution which was carried in silence, ail members standing: 4 hat

members of the United Press Association gathered at the annual general meeting record their profound sorrow at the great calamity that Mas lallen upon the Dominion consequent on the llawkcs Bay earthquake and rise as a mark of respect to the dead, condolence with the relatives of the deceased, and also to express their sympathy to those who have suffered personal injure and financial loss.

In moving the adoption oi the annual report and statement of accounts, the Chairman remarked Unit during file -Yl years the organisation had been in existence no greater disaster had happened to any of its mourners comparable to the loss siiflered by the ilawkes May Herald, tin l Hawkos Bay Tribune and the Napier Daily Telegraph companies through the earthquake on February 3. All shareholders would, he felt sure, join in extending congratulations to Sir (.'noil l.eys, who had been honoured by Mis .Majesty the King with a knighthood. Sir Cecil was a member of tbe Board of the Association, and bail twice been Chairman. The cable figures for the vear showed that tin* number of words

distributed to morning newspapers was 102, 100 and to evening papers 177,0.37. The I liter rational figures were .313,37(1 and 300.110 respectively, and Hit' Australian 13,5.777 and S],127. The thanks of (lie Association' were due to i lie Secretary of the Most and Telegraph Department. Air G. .McNamara, for llie able manner in which his Department had coped with the excessive strain of the recent disaster. running a continuous 21 hours service and handling the greatest number of words in (be history of the department.

After referring to flit' most notable (•vents of the year flic Chairman said it could lie stated with confidence tlia! the International -Service bad kept New Zealand well informed of’ world event's. Special efforts bad been made to cope wifli llie recent disaster in Ilawkes Bay and despite all obstacles a splendid service bad resulted, llie

agents’ reports being free from any exaggeration or kindness in 'description and generally in keeping with the highest, standard ,of excellence in New Zealand journalism.

In referring to tile outstanding even's of the year in the Dominion the Chairman mentioned the retirement and subsequent death of Sir Joseph Ward, the accession of the Forbes Government, tbe visit of the British Rugby team, the alpine disaster at .Mount Cook and the visit of Sir Otto Niemeyer. The change in management was also touched upon by Afr Abbey Jones consequent upon the retirement on superannuation of Air Atack after 4o year’s service and the appointment of Air A. R. Lane. Opportunity would be taken during the Conference to make suitable recognition of Air Ataek's lifetime of service to the Association .