NEWSPRINT PAPER

Southland Times, Issue 18834, 29 May 1920, Page 6

NEWSPRINT PAPER

SHORTAGE OF SUPPLIES

CRITICAL STAGE REACHED,

(Per United Press Association.)

__ WELLINGTON, May 28. The critical position of many New Zealand newspapers owing to the shortage of newsprint paper supplies was responsible for a big gathering of newspaper proprietors at Wellington to-day. 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 the dominion. Mr C. W. Earle, who presided, explained that the meeting had been called in order that the 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 scarcitj' of printing paper and the irregularity of shipments many newspapers hail reached an exceedingly critical stage. Some had only a few weeks’ supply of paper in stock, and could not be certain whether ad ditional supplies would come to hand in time to enable them to avoid the necessity of closing down. It was hoped that all newspapers holding reserves of paper in stock would assist, as some of them had already done, those less fortunately situated until the present exceptional pinch had passed.

Mr W. B. Carmichael, representative of several Canadian paper mills, and the 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. The world short age of paper resulting from the abnormal demand in the United States. Canada, and elsewhere following on the war, had made it impossible at time to buy paper at any price. The existing shortage was in his opinion likely to continue for some time.

and he strongly urged the practice of every possible economy to save paper and build.

■ip reserves against possible contingencies in future. With economy end mutual help between newspaper proprietors, he considered that the supplies he had been tth'c to arrange for won Id about enable the New Zen 'and press to tide over their present difficulties. To be on the safe side, however, they would have to restrict the size of their nepers and reduce consumption for llu* tune being to the lowest nr, sible limit. Mr Car michacl promised to do his utmost to re iicve the situation, but uide-o those new: papers holding reserve stocks were willm to co-operate it would be difficult for him to fin very much in the mailer of tin. year's supplies. In the course of a discussion wh.ch followed, a number of those present pointer out the difficulties which confronted (hen; hi securing delivery of orders, and a Its: handed in disclosed (he fart that in seven;; instances; stocks in hand were insufficient in enable publication beyond a few week.-’ time.

It was derided to send a circular to the members of the Newspaper Proprietors’ As -•Delation urging that till numbers who have reserve slock- - on hand should assist those in short supply by authorising Mr Carmichael to divert the whole or a 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 lhe:r ability, and to reduce the size of tnvir pap ers wherever possible. The question of curtailment of advertising space was discussed, and it was resolved; '•That in view of the uncertainty regarding future newsprint supplies and the enormous increase in the price of newsprint, proprietors he urged to abstain for the present from entering into advertising contract? for a longer period than three months.” A resolution specially thanking Mr Carmichael for his efforts to secure supplies, and expressing appreciation of bis services generally, was carried with acclamation.