I.—lo,

VIII

On the question being put, That the words proposed to be struck out stand part of the question, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow : — Ayes, 6 : Mr. Carncross, Mr. Massey, Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, Mr. O'Eegan, Mr. Pinkerton, Mr. G. W. Eussell. Noes, 2 : Hon. Mr. Hall-Jones, Mr. Hogg. And so it was resolved in the affirmative. Resolved, To strike out the word " thinks," in line 1, and insert in lieu thereof the words " is of opinion." Resolved, To insert the words " under the circumstances " after the word " that," in line 1. Paragraph (11). Passed. Paragraph (12). Resolved, To strike out the word " thinks," in line 1, and insert in lieu thereof the words " is of opinion." Mr. Hogg moved, by way of further amendment, to strike out all the words after the word " Act," in sub-paragraph (1). On the question being put, That the words proposed to be struck out stand part of the question, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 5: Mr. Carncross, Mr. Massey, Mr. O'Eegan, Mr. Pinkerton, Mr. G. W. Eussell. Noes, 2 : Mr. Hogg, Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie. And so it was resolved in the affirmative. Paragraph (13). Passed. On the question being put, That the report of the sub-committee as amended be adopted, Mr. Massey moved, by way of amendment, to strike out all the words after the first line, with a view of inserting in lieu thereof the following words : — "Namely, the working of the copyright clauses of 'The Electric Lines Act, 1884.' Under that Act cable news is protected for eighteen hours from the time of publication, but this protection does not extend to colonial news. "The Press Association was first started for colonial news only, the Eeuter agency at that time supplying the cable news. A combination of Australian newspapers initiated a system for the supply of European news, and the present United Press Association arranged with that combination for the transmission of their news to this country, and eventually Eeuter discontinued their service. " The Press Association was started upon co-operative lines, certain papers taking shares at a nominal sum, and they have now fifty-five clients to whom they contribute their news. There are about 110 newspapers in the colony. "The service seems to give satisfaction, and no complaint is made as to their annual fees. " Several complaints have, however, been made as to the high entrance-fees charged. But on this point the officers of the Association objected to give evidence, on the ground that it was outside the order of reference. " Other witnesses, however, gave evidence to show that of late years the fees had been raised considerably ; and, while hesitating to interfere with the management of the Press Association, your Committee thinks that the entrance-fees are too high, and that they should be reduced, but in that case the annual fee would probably have to be increased. " The entrance-fees were said to be placed to the credit of a fund which in case of loss on the year's transactions has been drawn upon to meet the deficiency ; but on only one occasion has a dividend been paid to the shareholders, and on several occasions there has been a refund to all clients of the Association, irrespective of whether they were shareholders or not. " The night-service, which is kept open to receive and distribute the cable news, shows an estimated deficiency of £1,095 7s. Bd., half of which amount is paid by the Press Association. The distribution of news thus costs the colony £547. " Your Committee thinks it only right to state that the Press Association has no special concessions from the Telegraph Department; that they are in exactly the same position as private individuals using the telegraph service ; and that there is nothing to prevent another association being started on similar lines and with the same object. '' Your Committee does not consider it advisable to repeal the copyright clauses of the Act, but recommends that an amendment should be introduced limiting the entrance-fee to be charged by any company or association using the telegraph service of the colony for the distribution of news to a maximum fee of £500, with a corresponding sliding-scale." On the question being put, That the words proposed to be struck out stand part of the question, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow : — Ayes, 6: Mr. Carncross, Mr. Hogg, Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, Mr. O'Eegan, Mr. Pinkerton, Mr. G. W. Eussell. Noes, 1 : Mr. Massey. And so it was resolved in the affirmative. Mr. Hogg then moved, by way of further amendment, to strike out all the words after the word " that " in the first line, with a view of inserting, in lieu thereof, the following words : — " In accordance with the order of reference, it has inquired into the working of the copyright clauses of ' The Electric Lines Act, 1884.' "It appears that previous to the passing of the Protection of Telegrams Act in 1882 Press messages in New Zealand were not protected. This Act was incorporated in ' The Electric Lines Act, 1884,' and under its provisions cable news is protected for eighteen hours from the time of publication.