25 SEPTEMBER 1909, Page 2

The International Conference of the Press, -which con- cluded its

sittings on Tuesday, Was marked by two excellent speeches from Mr. Sydney Sexton and Sir Edward Grey. The Postinaster-Genersd, who incidentally observed that no

Government in this country would for one moment think of intervening in the management of the British Press, enlivened the proceedings by quoting the following delightful illustra- tion of the fallibility of proof-readers : "Some ladies desired to go up in the aeroplane, but it was recognised that their lives were too valuable, so Mr. Wright took two journalists." Sir Edward Grey, after offering on behalf of the Govern- ment a cordial welcome to the foreig,n delegates, dealt with the broad resemblance between journalists and public men. They both desired to impart information to the public, to convince the public of their accuracy, and to encourage good opinion; and they both had to avoid the extremes of individualistic candour and excessive servility to the opinions of others.