DIFFICULT TO PREDICT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26693, 12 February 1948, Page 8

DIFFICULT TO PREDICT

DATE OF IMPROVED PAPER ■SITUATION WORLD FACTORS OPERATING P.A. • AUCKLAND, Feb. 11. The paper situation was so bound up with world recovery that it was difficult to say when or by how much it might improve, said Mr L. D.. Spicer, a director of the English paper firm of Spicers, Ltd., who arrived by flying boat from Sydney on a business visit to New Zealand. He said that a year ago he would have said the world would be short of paper for a long time, as would still be the case if the real demands had to' be met, but these demands were being artificially restricted. Troubles in the East were affecting demands from this very great market, said Mr Spicer. Restrictions on the use of newsprint in Britain were also an important factor, and the economic crisis facing it made the position there very indefinite. He could see very dark days ahead, in which Britain might be the first to be affected, but he was satisfied that a revival of spirit would carry the British people through in some way. They might indeed lead the world to recovery again. Mr Spicer will be in Auckland until the middle of next week, and will then visit Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.