NEWSPRINT PRICES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 81, 3 October 1938, Page 8

NEWSPRINT PRICES

INCREASE EXPECTED

A forecast of an increase in the prices of newsprint paper in 1939 was made by Mr. C. W. Earle, president of the Newspaper Proprietors' Ac3ociation, at the half-yearly meeting of the association last week. This, combined with other increases in the cost of production, would, he indicated, almost I certainly force the North Island newspapers to abolish the discount now allowed to weekly subscribers. Mr. Earle said that the English prices for newsprint paper for 1939 had re-1 cently come to hand, and they indicated a further increase in price of about 25 per cent. The Canadian prices were not yet available, but on [ present appearances they would be on a parity with the English figures. This prospective increase in newsprint paper prices followed on increases in costs in other directions which had been rapidly climbing during the past three years. Increased wages and shortened hours of work accounted for added costs totalling from 18 to 22 per cent.; cable service costs had gone up. Transport] charges were heavier than ever; overseas freights were moving in the i wrong direction; rates, taxes, prices of materials, and services of all descriptions were up, and there was no prospect of relief in any direction. In the South Island and in some parts of the North Island newspapers had been forced to withdraw the discount to weekly subscribers and make a uniform price in order to meet these increased costs, Mr. Earle added. In the North Island action in this direction had been postponed, but in the light' of the latest very substantial advance in newsprint he did not see how it' could be any longer avoided. It would | be desirable, however, to await official news from Canada as to the 1939 contract prices before reaching a final decision on the question. This course was agreed on.