PAPER SHORTAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17823, 3 January 1920, Page 6

PAPER SHORTAGE

NEWSPAPERS SERIOUSLY AFFECTED. REDUCTION IN SIZE ADVOCATED. ;Fbom Oob Own Coiirebpokdent.) AUCKLAND, January 2. The shortage of newsprint paper in Canada and Ajitorica., as lias been, indicated in roocnt cablegrams, is likely to seriously, ail'ccfc New Zealand, which is entirely dependent upon Canada for supplies. Mr P. Boh'g, manager of the Cliristchurch Press Company, anel chairman of the Newspaper Proprietors As.<ocjation of New Zealand, who is at present on a visit to Auckland, has received cable advice that tho position is already serious. A representative of the _ Now Zealand Herald waited upon Mr Selig tin's evening and ascertained that he had been advised by cablegram that on account of tlio serious shortage, tho Australasian representative of tliu Canadian mills was leaving by tha Niagara for Canada, .and would Tike to see him in Auckland on his way through. Mr S?lig leaves for Wellington to-morrow, but will return to Auckland to meet tha Niagara. Mr Selig says his association! warned members of a 'possible shortage about three months ago, but a largo quantity of paper had _ been OTnsirmed by the leading offices during -the election period, and some were, not holding sufficient stocka to be wife. This had boen brought about mainly by tho mills failing to send all the. paper ordered for 1919. and it now_ looked as if there was goin# to be considerable difficulty in securing supplies. Mr Sdig said tho United States had been short of paper for some time owing to tho production being less than tho quantity required) by tho newspaper offices. Canada was sending a large quantity of paper ', into tho States, until tho position there had become serious. The Paper Controller appointed during tho war periodi recently announced that he would not allerw a single sheet of newsprint to be exported from Canada while the local demand was unsatisfied. This probr.bly was affecting the supply for New Zealand. There would also bo a heavy increase in the price of paper for this year, said Mr ■Selig. In the meantime, ho advised the cutting down of the papers in size and tho conservation of every sheet possible. Taking advantage of the presence in Auckland of tho Prime Minister, Mr Selig interviewed Mr Massoy respecting the serious aspect of affairs for New Zealand, pointing out that it would be a very serious matter for the dominion if any of its papers had to .suspend publication for want of parser. Mr Massoy has undertaken, at Mr Srlig's request, to send a cablegram to the Prime Minister of Canada immediately, pointing out the position hero with respect to stocks, and requesting him not to stop supplies for the dominion.