PAPER SHORTAGES.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume X, Issue 141, 29 May 1920, Page 5

PAPER SHORTAGES.

CRISIS FOR NEWSPAPERS. SIZES MUST BE REDUCED. Wellington, May 28The critical position of many New Zealand newspapers due to the shortage of newsprint paper supplies was responsible for a big gathering of news- , paper proprietors at Wellington today. The meeting was called by the New Zealand Newspaper Proprietors’ Association and was attended by representatives of practically the who.e of the daily press of the Dominion. # 1 Air- W. B. Carmichael, representative of several Canadian paper mills and principal supplier of newsprint paper to New Zealand, outlined the efforts he had made to £eep the Dominion's newspapers going in the face of heavy difficulties.

In the course of the discussion 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 t-hat in several instances stocks in hand were insufficient to enable publication beyond a few weeks’ time. It was decided to send a circular to members of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association urging that all members who have reserve stocks on hand should assist those in short supply by authorising Air. Carmichael to divert th® whole or portion of the balance of their supplies due for delivery this year to more necessitous cases.

It was further resolved that in view of the critical situation arising out of the scarcity of newsprint, the. proprietors be urged to conserve supplies to the utmost of their ability ana to reduce the size of their newspapers wherever possible. The question of the curtailment of advertising space was discussed and it was resolved that in view of the uncertainty regarding future newsprint supplies and the enormous increase in the price of newsprint the 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 efforts to secure supplies and expressing appreciation of his services generally was carried by acclamation.