EMPIRE PRESS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1933, Page 5

EMPIRE PRESS

ANNUAL MEETING

CONFERENCE AT ROTORUA

(Per Press Association — Copyright.)

IvOTOJiUA, February 23

Sympathetic reterence v»as maue to the death of Sir Robert Ronald, an eminent British journalist, who was Chairman of the Empire Press Union for many years by Mr H. Horton (President) at t.,e N.Z. Braiicu ot tlie Union to-day. Condolence with Lady Ronald was passed. Mr Horton said it was gratifying that in a. most difficult year, they had been, able to maintain the local branJi in a strong satisfactory position. He had been asked, as Chairman, to join the general committee of tne Advertising and Marketing Exhibition, at Olympia, London, in July and had accepted the invitation. Messrs Hugo Freeth (“Christchurch Press”), Ronald Horton (“Auckland Herald”) did Will Appleton (Advertising Expert) were elected associate members. Mr H. Horton was reelected President and Mr Ronald Horton, secretary. The sitting members of th& committee were re-elected. The Chairman paid a tribute to the services rendered by Mr G. C. Oodlin, as Secretary of tho New Zealand branch and conveyod to him the unanimous wishes of all present for the greatest success of his new responiblo post oil the staff of the “Sydney Morning Herald.” Mr C'odlin suitably acknowledged the tribute and assured the'meeting of his continued interest in tho. Union.

Mr Henry Horton, President of the New Zealand branch of the Empire Press' Union, in his address to the annual meeting of members to-day, said, there was one matter which he felt it his duty to refer to, namely, the free criticism that had been made editorically by most of the papers, against the raising of the exchange rate. The Government thought that it was the best policy to increase the exchange* and the press, as usual, gave candid criticism of the proposal. But the, Government, finding the proposal! not so popular as they expected Very unfairly on February 3rd. attacked the motives of the papers in speaking as they had done. Mr Coates, when speaking on the Bank Indemnity Bill, in the House had inferred from the almost unanimous press condemnation that the Government’s action in raising the exchange rate was resented, and that the fact that the newspapers were closely and materially affected by the exchange rate caused them' to be actuated by motives of self-interest. Mr Coates was unquestionably* right in saying the newspapers were adversely affected by- the exchange iate, but many newpapers perceived that practically all other businesses were equally affected, and they honestly came to the conclusion that they could not support the increase in exchange.

Mr Horton said he had frequently known that editors had the support of the proprietors in advocating policies against the financial interest of the papers, when they believed that they were reserving the public good. The newspapers were jealous of the high reputation that had been established by the press of the country. He believed that a cruel injustice hud been done to the newspapers, when it was suggested that the criticism of the increase in the exchange had anything behind it but a sincere desire to achieve what was best for the national interest. He hoped the press was above imputing unworthy motives to the Government in its efforts to secure the best- for their welfare, and also hoped that the Government would have more respect for the press, than to think that the criticism against the exchange rate was inspired by selfishness. The Chairman’s remarks were warmly endorsed by the meeting.