Newspapers Face Paper Shortage

Northern Advocate, 24 February 1940, Page 4

Newspapers Face Paper Shortage

lPer Press Association. Copyright J ROTORUA, This Day. Never in the history of our country was it more necessary for the general welfare that the press of the Dominion should strive to render the highest possible service within its power to give, said Mr C. W. Earle, president of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of New Zealand at the annual conference at Rotorua. "It is vitally important that the public should be kept fully and accurately informed through the news services of the press of the course of events overseas and also here in New Zeaeland," said Mr Earle. “It is equally important that the press should strive to stimulate and encourage the whole-hearted co-opera-tion of all sections of our people in the tremendous task which lies ahead. 40 Per Cent Cut. “To be enabled to -give that service to the community which the conditions today more than ever demand, our newspapers must be assured of a continuance of adequate supplies, of newsprint paper and freedom from restrictions. “Under the present allocation of import licenses and sterling permits, importations of newsprint will be reduced this year by about 40 per cent. Already reserved stocks, accumulated and maintained at considerable cost, are in the process of being used up, and, in spite of the economies being practised, the position later in the year is likely to give occasion for grave concern. "It is highly desirable, therefore, that every possible facility should be provided for ensuring that regular suptained and it cannot be too strongly plies of newsprint should be mainimpressed on those in authority that every effort should be made to enable shipments to be brought here as early as possible. - ’ Censorship. Referring to censorship, Mr Earle said an advisory committee was appointed to act in conjunction with the director of publicity, Mr J. T. Paul, and his assistant, Mr J. H. Hall, and the result had been a satisfactory arrangement under which tire fullest possible measure of freedom had been given fi the newspapers, consistent with the safeguarding of the movement of shipping and military forces and other measures, why&i it obviously wbuld be undesirable or dangerous to publish.