SHORTAGE OF PAPER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17484, 31 May 1920, Page 5

SHORTAGE OF PAPER.

THE NEWSPRINT PROBLEM.

POSITION IN THE DOMINION. r URGENT NEED FOR ECONOMY. [BY TELEGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOOATIOLV.] WELLINGTON, Saturday. The critical position of many New Zealand newspapers, due to the shortage of newsprint paper supplies, was responsible for a gathering of newspaper proprietors at Wellington. The meeting was called by the New Zealand Newspaper Proprietors' Association, and was attended by representatives of practically the whole of the daily press of "tha Dominion. Mr. C. Earle, who presided, explained that.the meeting had been called in order that newspaper proprietors might learn at first hand from the principal suppliers of newsprint paper to the press of New Zealand exactly what the position was ahead of them. Owing to the scarcity of printing peper and the irregularity of shipments many newspapers had reached an exceedingly critical stage. Some had only a few weeks' supply of paper in stock, and could not be certain whether additional supplies would come to hand in time to enable them to avoid the necessity of closing down. It was hoped that any newspaper holding a reserve of paper stock would assist, as some of them had already done, those lef? fortunately situated until the present exceptional pinch had passed.

Mr. W. B. Garmichael, representative of several Canadian paper .mills, and principal supplier of newsprint, paper to New Zealand, outlined the efforts he had made to keep the Dominion's newspapers going in face of heavy difficulties. A world shortage of paper, resulting from PLabnormal demand in l,be United Stages, Canada, and elsewhere, following on the war, had made it impossible at times to buy paper at any price. The existing shortage was, in his opinion, likely to continue for some time, and ho strongly urged the practice of every possible economy to save paper and build up reserves against possible contingencies in the future. With economy and mutual help between newspaper proprietors, be considered that the supplies he .had been able to arrange for would about enable the New Zealand press to tide over their present difficulties. To be on the safe side, however, they would have to restrict the size of their papers and reduce consumption for the time being to the lowest possible limit. Mr. Garmichael promised to do his utmost to relieve the situation, j but said that unless those newspapers holding reserve stocks were willing to co-oper-ate it would be difficult for him to «*o very much in the matter of this year's supply. In the couree of the discussion which followed, a number of those present pointed out the difficulties which confronted them in securing delivery of orders, and disclosed the fact that ir several instances stocks in hand were insufficient to enable publication beyond a I few weeks' time.

It was decided to send a circular to members of the Newspaper Proprietors' Association, urging that the few members who have some small reserve of paper on hand should assist those in short supply by authorising Mr. Carmichael to divert the 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, proprietors be urged to conserve supplies to the utmost of their ability, and to reduce'the size of their papers wherever possible. The question of. curtailment of advertising spaces was discussed, and it was resolved "That in view of uncertainty regarding the future of newsprint supplies and the enormous increase in the price of newsm-int, proprietors be Ui'i'ad to abstain for the present'from entering into advertising contracts for a longer period than tnree months."

A relation specially thanking Mr. Carmichael for his efforts 'to eecure supplies, and xDressing appreciation of his services generally, was carried with acclamation.