Printers’ Import Problems

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31530, 18 November 1967, Page 14

Printers’ Import Problems

“Five years ago I said that Government policy could mean the end of book production in New Zealand and the years have proved me right,” said Mr D. L. Donovan, managing director of the Caxton Press, Christchurch, when asked to substantiate claims during New Zealand Book Week that printers were hamstrung in obtaining machinery and materials.

“More and more New Zealland publishers are having their books printed abroad,” Mr Donovan said. “Currently $9,000,000 worth of finished books are being imported into New Zealand each year,” he said, “but less than $2,000,000 of book paper is being allowed in. “Why did the Government Printer use 160 tons of imported paper to print the Encyclopaedia of New Zealand?” asked Mr Donovan. “Because New Zealand paper was not suitable. 1 don’t blame him.” On the other hand the Education Department spent $300,000 in the United States on the new mathematics textbooks for schools. The paper used for these could be matched in New Zealand and the American firm could have been paid royalties on the text “That amount would keep me in imported paper for a long time,” said Mr Donovan. Conversely his firm had tried a high-grade New Zealand paper for “Ascent," a new journal of the arts, but it was just not good enough for the job and a great deal of the trial printing had to be dumped. Mr Donovan said at least $2,000,000 a year was being spent overseas by New Zealand publishers getting their books printed. The reason? “Some paper and most book-binding materials are dutiable and subject to import licence,” said

Mr Donovan, “whereas finished books are duty free and licence free. We say raw materials should be placed in the same categories as the finished books. “It has never been proved that New Zealand printers and publishers cannot compete with overseas products," said Mr Donovan. “You cannot be a contender unless you have suitable paper in store or in sight,” he said. Sometimes it took nine months to get a licence for imported paper and three months more to get delivery. Customers could not wait indefinitely. Mr Donovan said a committee of the Master Printers’ Federation had opened fresh negotiations to get easier access to materials.