GOVERNMENT PRINTING

Otago Witness, Issue 3525, 4 October 1921, Page 22

GOVERNMENT PRINTING

M ELLINGTON, September 30. Ihe annual report of the Government Printing and Stationery Department,, laid on the table of the House to-day, has a few observations to offer on tlie question of the paper supply, which has been a source ot anxiety in the issuing of Government publications for some time past. The report states: “The paper position is now much easier, the large stocks coining to hand from England and Canada enabling us to carry out ihe requirements of the country free from the anxiety that has been experienced for the past five years. Prices have fallen, and it is estimated that though the cost, of paper will never come down to that of pre-war days, prices wall be much easier than they have been for some years. Owing to the unsettled conditions all over the world it, is, however, necessary to preserve economy in paper consumption, and the fact that the market has grown easier should not result iu extravagance in the oidcring of matter to be printed. The cost of printing is very high at present, and only essentia! printing should be undertaken.” Of the work of the department for tiie year following are items: Gazette. Number printed, 1270; subscribers, 188; amount received, £556. Hansard.- —Number limned for session 1920. 4000; subscribers, 144; amount received. £72. Railway 1 iekets. Number printed. 10.457.812; the highest number (1,141,000) being in November. 5tamp5.—1,402.093- sheets of various values printed, comprising 134.773.771 stamps, representing a value of £3,689,913.