SHORTAGE OF PAPER

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23662, 12 June 1942, Page 4

SHORTAGE OF PA P ER

PRINTERS , PLANS CONSERVATION SCHEMES (P.S.S.) WELLINGTON, June 11. Methods ior controlling the use of paper which have been adopted by organisations of master printers and wholesale suppliers to the printing industry were described by Mr E. W. Clarkson,' general secretary of the New Zealand Federation of Master. Printers. An appeal is also made to the public to assist the printer and stationer in conserving the use of paper and so benefit both the industry and the customer.

Mr Clarkson says that, taking, into account existing stock held by the customer, no supply exceeding six months’ usage may be printed by printing and manufacturing 1 stationery establishments, all of whom have been circulated with copies of the recently-issued Paper Control-Notices, under which action is being taken. Not only are reduced sizes prescribed in many cases, but the printer is also under a general obligation to use only that quality of paper which will fulfil the use for which the printing is designed. Calendars and Christmas cards have been drastically reduced, with the prospect that after next Christmas and New Year few Christmas cards lyill; be available. New orders of a kind not produced in 1941 must have the prior approval of the Factory Controller/ Such advertising matter as circulars, leaflets, and pamphlets gratuitously distributed, as well as catalogues, are reduced to one-half the quantity of paper used in 1941, and all save catalogues must have the prior approval of the Factory Controller. Forms such as letter paper, invoice and statement forms which are in every-day use are reduced in size, and the depth of printing is limited to a shallow war-time heading. All other forms, Including cheques, address labels, visiting and other carijte, and blotting sheets are correspondingly reduced. Writing pads, scribbling pads, and stock ruled forms, memorandum and manuscript books, are .reduced both in size and number of leaves, and close ruling is prescribed. The manufacture of a number of items, including confetti and lunch wraps, is prohibited, Hand-writteji letters must be on both sides of the paper, with minimum margins. For general use, an envelope not exceeding 6in by 3iin is stipulated. Mr Clarkson said the regulations were necessary in the interests of the printing and stationery industries and of the users, and were dictated primarily by the shortage of paper and the most uncertain prospect of obtaining future supplies from North America. Practically speaking, too, papers of all kinds were no longer obtainable from the United Kingdom. It was obvious that the regulations would -operate during the war and afterward until stocks t had been replenished* to pre-war level. 'So acute was the position that ways were being explored of securing- from the Whakatane and Mataura board ans paper mills supplies of almost any quality or colour which would take ink and present a readable surface.