SHORTAGE OF PAPER.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13927, 9 July 1917, Page 8

SHORTAGE OF PAPER.

CIOVERNMKXT PRINTER'S VIEW,

In his annual report on the Government Printing Oflice, the Government Printer (Mr .Marcus M. Marks) says:— "The cost of paper is still adviiicing and some lines are 3110 per cent, (hirer than pre-war prices. The enhanced charges are not the only dilliciilty. The possibility of a stoppage of supplies has to be faced. The Knglish Royal Com'"ission of paper has reduced.(he allowance of raw products to be imported into Britain to 50 per cent, of that imported for the year 1014, which limits tlu> exports to the same precentage, The,! shortage of raw materials ami the use of the factories for munition purposes must necessarily have an effect on supplies at this end. The problem of getting ships to enrrv the goods intensifies the trouble. Bearing in mind the difficulty of obtaining stocks of paper and stationery, it is necessary that the greatest (•are be exercised by all departments ill ordering printing and stationery, and the work of each department should be carefully reviewed by it s | K m,. : , so t|„,t tlicre may be no over-ordering. No order should be given for more (ran 12 months' supplies. The. sizes of formes should be ,-v,l down t0 ''' minimum eoiisijient with usefulness, which will result i„ a ' valuable saving of paper, Eiivelo|Hs',itid paste boards arc more iMlliciilt than ever to obtain, Last year tho position was '■a.'l i" this respect, but it is still worse to-day, and it is not likely lo improve for some time. The English Royal Commission on paper made a strong appeal to the public on the nccssitv for economy i„ paper, and I quote the last paragraph of its appeal:-" The commission hopes that all classes of the community will in the national interest do whatever may be possible to minimise the grave inconvenience which must follow the necessary interference with the paper trade of the coutry,' Since this apnea! was made the position has become still more nenb:. The condensation of the departmental reports lias resulted in a large saving of paper, and this condensation should continue till the j>aper market grows easier. Statistical tabulated statements should not be printed with reports unless absolutely nccessarv."