PRESS CONFERENCE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2523, 9 June 1909, Page 5

PRESS CONFERENCE

GABLE NEWS,

THE FIRST MEETING.

i DISCUSSION ON PRESS CABLE RATES. United Press Association—Copyright LONDON, Juno 7. The Earl of Creive, Secretary for the Colonies, presided at the opening of the first meeting of the Imperial Press Conference, which dealt with the subject of cable news and press intercommunication. Ho remarked that very cheap communications lay behind all prescriptions for bringing the various parts of the Empire closer together, .. Mr tSydney Buxton, Postmaster-Gen-eral, remarked that the subject was largely a matter of finance. Ho promised that the Post Office Department would assist in securing the objects of the conference.

Other speakers were Messrs KyffinThomas, Fink, Fenwick, and Temperley. , It was resolved that the cheapening and improvement of rates was a paramount necessity. A committee was appointed to consider the best means of securing this end. Mr Deakin’s and Sir Joseph Ward’s messages to the -“Standard,” relating to the conference, have been published. ■ , Mr Ivyffin-Thonias was appointed president of all press delegations, in addition to the chairmanship of the Australian section. LORD ROSEBERY’S SPEECH. A HOSTILE CRITICISM. (Received June 8, 9.35 p.m.) ’ LONDON, Juno 8. The “Manchester Guardian” characterises the substance of Lord Rosebery’s speech as hollow and unreal, and says that the effect will be inflammatory. AN INTERESTING DISCUSSION. AN IMPERIAL NEWS SERVICE. United Press Association —Copyright (Received June 8, 10.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 8.

At the Press Conference, Lord Minto, Viceroy of India, sent India’s greetings. Casual mention of Mr. Joseph Chamberlain provoked loud cheers, which were renewed when Mr. Austen Chamberlain stated that nothing struck his father more than the- unity of senti-. ment throughout the Empire, as upon the occasion of national rejoicings overseas congratulations were received immediately.

Lord Crewe -quoted figures to show the great number of‘words cabled concerning cricket, compared with general nows. He said it was possible that wireless telegraphy and the use of cables, when otherwise unoccupied, would provide a partial remedy for the inacdquato treatment of subjects of great importance, Mr. Kyffin-Thomas (Adelaide) said it would -greatly delight the Commonwealth if the next Conference were hold in Australia. Cheaper cable rates would enable the. colonies to secure much fuller reports of doings at Home. Mr. Polk (Melbourne) called attention to the poverty of colonial news in ’London papers. The Commonwealth offer of a Dreadnought, though one of the greatest subjects of tlie hour, had been given four lines. Mr. Austen Chamberlain hoped that the Conference would not forget the pioneer work of the cable companies, and treat them ‘ generously, but the companies must make up their minds that times were changing and fresh ueeds arising. . (Received June 8, 10.20 p.m.) Mr. Temperley (New South Wales) advocated an All-Red. route, and the nationalisation -of the Pacific cable. Mr. Fenwick (“Otago Daily Times”) said that the Conference would bo humiliated if the resolution (declaring, the cheapening of rates a paramount necessity) was’ not.adopted-. The Postmaster-General said that business men were reducing coding to a fine art. This was impossible with press news. Therefore, it was right that special rates should be granted in order to place newspapers -on an equality with business men. Mr. Buxton added that he anticipated that the Conference had consulted the cable 'companies, which, ho understood, were willing to consider the reduction of rates if assured of considerable additonal matter. The amount spent in press telegrams at present was small compared with the total expenditure. (Received. Juno 8, 11.40 p.m.) Sir Hugh Graham proposed, aiul Lord Northcliffe seconded, a motion making the members of the. Conference a standing committee to considei the question of an Imperial news service, -and take measures to secure a reduc. tion of rates. .

This was carried unanimously. The discussion on Mr.. Ross’ motion in favor of State-owned cables in the Atlantic and Pacific was adjourned to June. 25, ytwo' houis being deemed wholly inadequate' for the pioper discussion of the problems involved HOUSE OF COMMONS LUNCHEON. i THE PRINCE OF WALES’ G ARDEN party./ The Speaker (the Right Hon. J. AY. Lowther) presided at the House of 'Commons’ luncheon to the delegates. Messrs Asquith and Haklanc, Sir Edward Grey, Lords Milner, Cursson, and Cromer wort? present.