SHORTAGE OF NEWSPRINT

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27690, 21 June 1955, Page 5

SHORTAGE OF NEWSPRINT

Publishers’ Congress Warned (N.Z. PruM Association-^Copyright) BERNE, June 17. The British vice-president of the International Federation of Newspaper Publishers (Mr W. T. Curtis-Willson), said yesterday that he believes a newsprint famine is likely within 10 years, unless another means of supply can be devised.

Mr Curtis-Willson was addressing the final session of the federation’s ! three-day congress at Berne. He said that the demand for newsprint would increase to an “alarming extent.” because of the rapid increase in education in the backward countries of Asia. The congress represents 85 per cent, of world newsprint consumption. Newspapers printed by members of the federation bring out more than 160.000,000 copies dauy. Fifty delegates representing 14

countries attended the Congress. Mr Robert Salmon, of France, presented a report of newsprint, concluding that the supply is equal to the present demand. Mr Curtis-Wilson ' disagreed with this, saying that the rapid increase in education in Asia will increase the demand to an alarming extent during the next few years. “There is a great urge to acquire knowledge which means more newsprint. and unless other means of supply can be devised we may well see a newsprint famine,’’ he added. “I believe a newsprint famine is likely within the next 10 years.” The general manager of the American Newspaper Publishers’ Association 'Mr Cranston Williams), said he thought scientists would find new ways of making newsprint. He cited the production of newsprint from bagasse (sugar-cane waste), as art example. A representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, drew attention to the hardwood of Africa, which, I he said, was one of the greatest rej serves of possible supply. Question in Commons The President of the Board of Trade (Mr Peter Thorneycroft) said in answer to a question in the House of Commons that he was not yet able to say when it would be possible to end the rationing of newsprint in Britain. Lieutenant-Colonel M. Lipton (Labour) said: “Why does the Government keep on providing one lame substitute after another for continuing rationing 10 years after the war? How does it come about that the Government still believes in rationing newsprint when dollars have been wasted on so many other imports which could be obtained from non-dollar sources?’’ Mr Thorneycroft said the question : whether the control on the import of newsprint could be dropped de- ; pended on the balance of payments ■ position.

“As long as we have control of imports it is necessary to have some form of rationing arrangement: in so far as this can be taken over by the newspaper industry, I should be very happy.” Mr A. Woodburn (Labour) said: “Are you aware that the lovely pictures of bathing beauties in newsprint are the only signs of summer that we see?” “You must not press me to say what ought to go in the newspapers,” said Mr Thorneycroft.