PRESS CONFERENCE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2526, 12 June 1909, Page 5

PRESS CONFERENCE

CABLE NEWS.

SOCIAL FESTIVITIES. “LITERATURE AND JOURNALISM” DISCUSSED. United Press Association—Copyright LONDON, June 10. ■ While the delegates were at Mansion House the Victoria League entertained the ladies of the party at luncheon at Hyde Park Hotel. The Countesses of Jersey and Crewe, Ladies Beaconsifield and Northcotc, Miss Balfour, and Mcsdames Harcourt, Lyttelton, Gladstone, and Austen Chamberlain were the hostesses.

The Labor party entertained the delegates at tea on the terrace of the House of Commons. No speeches were made. Later the delegates and ladies motored to Ranelagh C üb, where Mrs Pearson entertained them at a banquet. Mr Pearson (chief proprietor of the “Standard,” “Daily Express,” and other journals) who had done much in the organising of the Conference, was absent owing to an operation on his oyes. The beautiful grounds wore illuminated. 1

Newspapers of every party continue to devote -columns the conference, having leaders daily. Many of the- delegates were anxious to restrict to-day’s discussion on literature in order to continue tlio defence debate.

The “Daily Mail” comments on tlio astonishing unanimity displayed at the conference upon the Navy, though the subject is fraught with all the elements of political controversy. Sir Edward Grey agrees with Lord Rosebery, Mr. Balfour with Sir Edward Grey, arid Mr Haldano with Mr Balfour.

THE INFLUENCE OF THE PRESS.

“A GREAT BENEFICIENT FORCE.”

(Received June 11, 10 p.m.) LONDON, June 11

At the Press Conference, Viscount Morley, who presided, said that much had recently been said about the rebarbarisation of Europe. Ho asked to what extent tlio press shared in creating tlio .processes which so threatened. Had the influence of tlio Homo and Colonial press been systematically and perscveringly used on behalf of the peace, of nations? Mr. Winston Churchill admitted that wo were living in anxious times, and ‘humorously added that after a discussion ■which had opened with most appalling prospects of an approaching Armageddon, he trim light the Conference showed great courage in calmly sitting down to discuss literature and journalism. Lord Milner described the idea of the re-barharisation of Europe as dreadful nonsense. He believed that disputes nowadays were, less frequently settled by war than at any preceding period, ono reason being that European nations now mostly had an organised system of national armies, and citizens’ armies make for peace.

Mr. W. Douglas (editor of the Auckland “Herald”) said that the Conference had been discussing the supreme question of the defence, of the colonies, and realised that a catastrophe meant the ruin of this great Empire. They were ready to supply the Motherland with men, ships, and money. He added : “Tell us what you want us to do; wo will do it.” (Cheers.) Turning to tho subject under discussion, he said that newspapers missed being literature through want of time. Their primary purpose was not the cultivation of literary style, hut tho presentation of news, and that had never been so well or so promptly done as to-day. He believed that the press at Home and in the colonies was honestly striving to maintain the traditions already won. He maintained that the press would remain a great beneficient force. CONSTITUTIONAL CLUB’S LUNCHEON. MR. BALFOUR ON IMPERIAL UNITY.

(Received June 11, 10.55 p.m.) Mr. Balfour, at the Constitutional ■ Club’s luncheon to the delegates, in proposing the health’ of the guests, said that the debates of the past wevK upon Imperial defence, must have caused a glow of pride in man with Imperial instincts. Everybody recognised that the parental stage towards the colonies was over. They had now reached the stage of formal equality. Ho was uuable even to conceive what form the general closer organised unity of the-Empire would take, but the form for purposes of defence might take tho shape of tho development of a Defence Committee, on which the voice of men of colonial experience had already proved of great value. Mr. J. 0. Fairfax (Sydney “Morning Herald”), in responding, said that tho delegates had been struck very forcibly with the way in which party lines, if not obliterated, were yet completely ignored. They had heard much which would help them to impress Imperial ideas upon tho people of their own land. Ho referred to Lords Curzon and Milner’s tour in Canada, and hoped that other pro-consuls_ would follow their example in other Dominions. The Duke, of Wellington’s garden party to the delegates at Apsiey House included, foreign ambassadors and foreign officers competing at tuO Olympic games. . , \' In the evening Mr. Balfour, the Earl of Crowe, and Lords Northcote, Hindlip, and Midleton gave small dinner iparties to the delegates and the ladies accompanying them. The Duchess of Sutherland 'gave a

CABLE NEWS.

reception at Stafford House, where 2000 persons were present. (Received June. 11, 11.10 p.m.)

The Conference appointed a committee to consider the cheapening and improvement of cable facilities. It. will report on the resumption of tho sittings on June 25th.