PRESS ASSOCIATION METHODS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81837, 1 September 1906, Page 2

PRESS ASSOCIATION METHODS

PETHTON TO THE HOUSE. Per Press Association. "WEllington, August 31. When the House met this afternoon the following petition, presented by Mr Jennings, was read by the clerk : Tii? undersigned humbly petition the H) isc to inquire into the method 0 the New Zealand Press Association, those of the Elec.rioLines Act 1834, and the means it employs to limit membership. The pe.ittoners affirm tint the said Association is a close corporation, that in fact the management in some casei have diotatod prohibitory terms 0: numbcrihip by quoting a heavy Mtrance fee and subscription, and icw.ipapers which woull othcrwis.to the telegraphic revenue of the Co'ony have been shut out. They believe this to be an injustice to the papors and the community, and they contend that in view of the public concessions in respect to Press wires, the State should see that no abuses prevail in respect to (ho disseminaln g of ne ,ts through (he medium of any existing agency. They ask that if the Association charges cannot be revioived, the copyright under the Elec;ric Lines Act should bo removed, and that in any case the general methods )f the agjncy should be reviewed. The petitioners are the proprieors of the " Goldfield Advocate " Karahgauak?, "MX Id 1 Chronicle " Naseby, ' JLawhia Settler," " Northern Luminary," "PJorus Guardian," "Huntervilla Express," " Mauawatu Farmer," '* Wnimato Witness," " Mt. iiengcr 1 .fail" and " BaVutha Free Press." Mr Jennings suggested the reference ■ E thii peiilion to a areiial committee ) be set up. Mr Massey said there was a precelent for ibis coi rse, adding that it was hig,\ time son eiliing ware done in the 1 direction itidi, atcd. ' '' The Premier saii lie wo lid .consider ' the point.