PAPER SHORTAGE

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16847, 29 May 1920, Page 8

PAPER SHORTAGE

CRITICAL FOSiIiON IN NX ACTION BY NHV7SPAPEE PSOPEIETOSS. (FEESS ASSOCIATION TEL'EC.'RAM.) WELLINGTON. May 23. Tho critical position of many New j Zealand newspapers, duo to the shortago of news-print paper supplies, was responsible for a big gathering of newspaper proprietors at Wellington to-day. Tho meeting was called by tho New Zealand Newspaper Proprietors' Association, and was attended by representatives of practically the whole of the daily press of tho .Dominion. ; 3Lr C. \V. Earle, who presided, explained that the meeting had been called in order that the newspaper proprietors might learn at first hand from tho principal supliers of news-print paper to the Press of New Zealand, exactly what position was ahead of them. Owing to the scarcity of printing paper and tne irregularity of skinments, many newspapers had reached an exceedingly critical stage. Some had only a few weeks' supply of paper in stock, and could not be certain whether additional supplies would come to hand in time to enable them to avoid the necessity of closing down. It was hoped that all newspapers holding reserves of paper stock would assist, as some of them had already done, those less fortunately situated, until the present exceptional pinch had passed. Mr W. B. Carinichael, representative of several Canadian paper mills, and the princio'.l smvl'ers of news-*):in-: paper to New Zealand, outlined tho efforts ho had made to keep the Dominion's newspapers going in the faco of heavy difficulties. The world shortago of "paper, resulting from tho abnormal demand in the United States, ■Canada, and elsewhere, following on tho war, had made it impossible at times to buy paper at any price. Tho existing shortage was, in his opinion, likely to continue for some time, and ho strongly urged tho practice of every possible economy to save paper and build ur» reserves against possible contingencies in the future. With economy and mutual help between the newspaper proprietors, he considered that the supplies ho had been able to arrange for would about enable the New Zealand Press to tido over their present difficulties. To bo on the safe side, however, they would have to restrict the sise of their -oaners and reduce consumption for the time being to the lowest possible limit. Mr Carmichael promised to do his utmost to relieve the situation, but unless those newspapers holding reserve stocks were willing to co-operate, it would ho difficult for him to do very much in the matter of this year's supplies. In the course of the discussion which followed, a number of those present pointed out the difficulties which confronted them in securing delivery of orders, and a list handed in disclosed the fact that in several instances tho stocks in hand were insufficient to enable publication beyond a few weeks' time. I It was decided to send a circular to

I members of the Newspaper Proprietors' Association, urging that all members who had reserve stocks on hand should assist those in short supply by authorising Mr Carmichael to divert the wholo or a portion of the balance of their supplies duo for delivery thi3 year to the mora necessitous cases. I It was further resolved, that in view ' of the critical situation arising out of the scarcity of news-print, the proprietors be urgpd to conserve their supplies to the utmost of their ability, and to reduce the size of their papers wherever possible. i T. e question of the curtailment of advertising spaccs w.is discussed, and it I was resolved: '"That, in view of the un-. certainty regarding future news-print' supplies, and the enormous increase in the price cf news-print, newspaper proprietors be urged to abstain for the present from entering into advertising contracts'for a longer period than three months." ( A resolution, specially thanking Mr Carmichael for his eff irts to semre supSlies, and expressing appreciation of is services generally, was carried with, acclamation. AMERICA AND CANADIAN EMBARGO.

(By Cable— ; Piess Association—Copyright.) (Australian and K.i}. Cable Association.) WASHINGTON, May 26. Tho Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives favourably reported on a Bill authorising President Wilson to appoint a Commission to treat with Canada on the subject of the latter's embargo on print <aper nntl wood pu'.p. It is expected that tho Bill will shortly Be passed. Tho committee pointed out that Canada's _ action was virtually forcing American news print paper manufacturers to move into Canada., and eraphnsied the f'et tli >t while Canada was within her rights to enforce the embargo, which was working harcls'iin on the United States, Congress could "ppss an embargo on the exportation of coal, sulphur, and dycs,_ to Canada, which would work hardship on Canada. I