PRESS ASSOCIATION

Taranaki Daily News, 24 February 1916, Page 5

PRESS ASSOCIATION

CONFERENCE AT ROTORUA. By Telegraph.—Press Association, Rotorua, Last Night. The annual meeting of the Press* Association was held to-day, Mr. L. Blundell presiding. Tho annual report, amongst other thing?, showed that shareholders had in* cranned to 47. Owing to the war the cable service had greatly increased, and tho total words supplied wag 837,880, which was an increase of sixty per cent, over that of a few years ago. Unfortunately tho cable routes, owing til blocks and pressure of Government and military work, had been very congested, and much delay had at times oc< curred. The report dealt with the recent heavy increase in press telegrams rates, and at a later stage the meeting passed a resolution , strongly protesting, and determining' to bring the matter again before the Postmaster-General. The report also stated that'negotiations had been going on for new oai>l« contracts, and two had been made for a fresh term with the Australian CabJa Assoication and Renter. Sympathetic reference was made, to the'death of the late Mr. E. W. Knowles (Napier), who had long been.a director, and twice chairman of the Association. The chairman (Mr. Blundcll) delivered an address covering the work of the Association from many points of view, and mentioned that a deputation from the New Zealand Alliance had waited on members asking for support from the press especially with regard to early closing and anti-shouting, both iu the interest of soldiers. The deputation, had received a sympathetic hearing. Messrs G. Fcnwiek and C. S. Smith were re-elected directors and the next meeting was lixed to be held at Wellington.