PRINCE OF WALES

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1932, Page 2

PRINCE OF WALES

INAUGURAL BANQUET

COMPANY OF NEWSPAPER MAKERS.

LONDON, March 1

The Prince of Wales was the honoured guest at the i-.augural banquet of the Company cf Newspaper Makers. The three hundred guests who assembled at the Mansion House represented every phase of the newspaper industry and its allied interest';. Mr Li. D. Blumenfield, the first Master of the Company, presided.

The Prince said -lie was not sure what were his qualifications tor proposing the newspaper makers. “But Fleet Street —and -Shoe lane,” lie went on, “have always been very good friends indeed to- me, and if I can repay part of my debt by affording the newspaper-making craft a bit of additional copy I am only to glad to do so.”

“In addition to the professional side it hgs benevolent objects, and in this connection it had made a remarkably creditable start for a new organisation by devOtiilg during the past year nearly £4OOO td hfewspaper charities and personal relief. “A pension fund for joilrdiists hhs already been established, and the whole weight of the company is being directed to help those in all departments of newuaper activity who have just failed to reach the top of the tree —to ensure that they and their dependents shall receive adequate pensions in their retirement. “There were a few more specific aims which were detailed at the; company's first meeting last December, but, in short, this organisation was brought into being to promote the welface of the profession and to co-ordinate the many interests of the various callings which go to make up this vast and influential industry—an industry which plays a most important part in modern life', and whose heart heats very vigorously in this City of London.” The Prince said he had refrained from mentioninng the Press, as so many distinguished names figured cn the next toast. “But perhaps you will allow be to say this,” he went on “That as the Press of London and tile British Isles represent the centre of the Empire, so it may be said to represent the public thought of the Empire.

“Whether it be Brisbane or Bulawayo, Christchurch or Calgary, the high standard, the spirit of enterprise, and the loyalty of the local Press has always been a feature in which I think we should take a special pride. “I can only add that this company, which seeks to bring under one roof the social, benevolent, and professional interest of a great ihdustry, has my heartfelt good wishes.” Mr J. L. Garvin wns elected president of the Newspaper Press Fund at the annual meeting in succession to Lord Rothermere. Lord Rothermere, who was unanimously thanked by the meeting for his services to the fund, wrote that during his three years’ presidency of the Fund the record sum of £70,528 had been raised. “It is a sad consequence of the long-continued trade depression through which our country is passing that the numbers of those who are obliged to invoke the aid of this fund has reached the highest total in its history,” he wrote. “I urge upon all newspaper men, and especially upon my fellow newspaper proprietors throughout the country, the duty which they owe to their, profession of contributing as liberally as they possibly can to the resources of an institution which is an indispensable stand by and safeguard of the journalist’s calling.”

Lady Houston intimated that she was sending a cheque for £IOOO towards the contributory pension fund for journalists mentioned at tlie banquet by the Master, Mr R. D. Bliuncnfield.