THE PRESS CONGRESS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9477, 21 June 1909, Page 5

THE PRESS CONGRESS.

VISIT TO MANCHESTER. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. , London, June 20. At a banquet in connection with •the Manchester ship canal there was a large company present. It included the Lord Mayor and a large : number of leading business men, and several delegates to the Imperial . Press Conference. Mr Ashworth, President of the Chamber of Commerce, deprecated -the beating of the Imperial Drum, and declared that the dire foreboding i, of a rupture between the Motherland -and her dependencies had little , countenance in commercial circles in . Manchester. Mr Ward, Sydney, said that no - serions diminution in Australia’s - trade was likely in the near future Britain’s fiscal policy .might be. Australia being a gold ■ producer, could not be paid in gold •for her wool and dairy produce. Eighty per cent, of Australians were native born, and they would never see England unless some extraordinary revolution in the methods of transmit was brought about. The problem of the Australian press was to make the native population understand Britain. The delegates, upon their return, would strive to shape the policies of their papers with a view of doing this effectually. In the event of Britain losing command of the Atlantic, Canada would be able to secure safety by lifting her finger to the United States and becoming merged therein, but Australia might fall into the hands of a Power that would force the people to learn a new language and adopt other social habits. Hence an open ocean route was a matter of life and death to Australia. In time, the United Kingdom’s navy .would be come a united Empire navy. One of the most distressful aspects of English life was the living conditions of some women and children in English cities. Such deplorable sights were impossible in Australia. Could not England join the Colonies in bettering the lot of the poor. Mr Douglas, Auckland, said the Press delegates would return with a deeper conception of the greatness of the Motherland and a warmer affection for her and her people. Mr Temperiey, N.S.W., declared that on the question of Empire there was not a jarring note among the Colonies’ press representatives. All agreed that the Colonies must stand together in common defence when the hours of trouble arrived. Dr. Syme, the Victorian delegate, when interviewed, paid a high tribute to the efforts of the Conference. He said he was particularly struck by the unity of opinion among men' of different schools of politics regarding the necessary for a strong navy. The Glasgow University has declared to confer on Monday the Honorary Dcotorate of Laws upon the following delegates:—Mr Graham (Montreal), Mr MacDonald (Toronto), Mr Cunningham (Melbourne), Mr Ward (Sydney), Mr Park (Capetown), and Mr Reid ■ (Bombay).