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Taranaki Daily News, 24 February 1921, Page 5

MORE NEWS.

INCREASE IN PRESS CABLES. NO EXCESSIVE DELAY. By Telegraph —Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The annual meeting of the Press Association was held to-day. Thirty-one members were present, Sir G. Fenwick presiding. The annual report stated that 731,956 Zds of original cable news had been plied during the year, an increase of 54,710. The excessive delay on cable routes experienced during the war had disappeared, but there was still a certain amount at times, especially on messages for evening papers. A new agreement for a ca'ble service was entered into with the United Service, Ltd., which included Reuter, for a term of three years from July last. Reference was made to the increase of Press rates, certain modifications in which were to be proposed to the Post-master-General next day. The question of a reduction of messages would be a matter for consideration, but the report pointed out that there was not great scope in this direction, as they had already been reduced to meet war conditions. , Members were invited to notice that occasional attempts had been made to discredit the reliability of British cables dealing with prices of commodities and the trend of trade, but so far no evidence in support of this criticism had been laid before the management. It would be investigated, but there was every reason to believe that the confidence enjoyed by the Association’s cable service would be maintained. It was mentioned that the Association’s office had been temporarily removed to another building in the same block, and the directors are in treaty for a permanent office. The number of subscribers was stated as 71. The chairman gave an address on the operations of the year, and the report and balance-sheet were passed. Messrs. L. Blundell and P. Selig, retiring directors, were re-elected. Wellington was selected for the next place of meeting. After the ordinary meeting a special meeting was held, at which a number of amendments were made in the articles of Association, the principal of which was to more clearly define the position of companies holding shares in the Association. At a meeting of directors afterwards, Mr. C. S. Smith (Dunedin Star) was «leat«d chaimau fax the tgtuific year.