PAPER SHORTAGE

Otago Witness, Issue 3434, 6 January 1920, Page 13

PAPER SHORTAGE

NEWSPAPERS SERIOUSLY AFFECTED. REDUCTION IN SIZE ADVOCATED. CFaoM Oos Own Cobbespondknt.) AUCKLAND, January 2. The shortage of newsprint pap© l, in Canada and America, as has been indicated in recent cablegrams, is likely to seriously affect New Zealand, which is ' entirely dependent upon Canada for supplies. Mr P. Selig, manager of the Christchurch Press Coirjpany, and chairman of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of- New Zealand, who is at present on a- visit to -Auckland, has received cable advice that the position is already serious. A representative of the New Zealand Herald waited upon Mr Selig this evening and ascertained that he had been advised by cablegram that on account of the serious shortage, the Australasian representative of the Canadian mills , was leaving by the Niagara for Canada, and would like to see him in Auckland on his way through. Mr Selig leaves for Wellington to-morrow, bui will return to Auckland to meet the Niagara. Mr Selig says his association warned members of a possible shortage about three months ago, but a largo quantity of paper had been consumed' by the leading offices during the election period, and some were not holding sufficient stooka to be safe. This bad been brought about mainly by the mills failing to send all the paper ordered for 1919. and it now_ looked as if there was going to be considerable difficulty in securing supplies. Mr Selig said the United States had been short of paper for some time owing to the production being less than the quantity required by the newspaper offices. Canada was sending a large quantity of paper into the States, until the position there had become serious. The Paper Controller appointed during the war period recently announced that he would not allow a single sheet of newsprint to be exported from Canada while the local demand was unsatisfied. This probably 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, he advised the cutting down of the panel's in size and the conservation of, every sheet possible. Taking advantage of the presence in Auckland of the Prime Minister, Mr Selig interviewed Mr Massey 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 paper. Mr Massey has undertaken, at Mr Sclig's request, to send a cablegram tothe prime Minister of Canada immediately, pointing out the position here with respect to stocks, and; requesting him not to stop supplies for the dominion.