PAPER SHORTAGE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 46, Issue 14129, 29 May 1920, Page 5

PAPER SHORTAGE.

CRITICAL POSITION.

HOW NEW ZEALAND STANDS.

(By Telegraph —Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. The critical position of many New Zealand newspapers due to the shortage of newsprint paper supplies was responsible for the big gathering of newspaper proprietors at Wellington today. The meeting was called by the N.Z. Newspaper Proprietors’ -Association, and was .attended by representatives of practically the- whole of the daily Press of the Dominion. Mr C., O.- 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, exactlv' whaf the position was ahead of them. Owing, to tho scarcity of printing paper and the irregularity of shipments,' many newspapers h’ad. reached an exceedingly,critical stage. Some had only a few weeks ’ supply of paper m stock and could not be certain whether additional supplies would come to-hand in time to enable them to avoid the necessity of closing down. It was hoped that 1 all newspapers holding reserves of paper stocks would assist, as some of them bad already done, those less fortunately situated until the present exceptional pinch bad passed. Mr W. B, Carmichael, representative of several Canadian paper mills, and principal supplied of newsprint paper to Now Zealand, outlined the efforts he had made to keep tho Dominion newspapers going in the face of heavy difficulties. ’The world shortage of paper resulting from the abnormal demand in the United States, Canada anl elsewhere following' on the war, had made it impossible at times, to buy paper at any price. The existing shortage was, iii his opinion, likely to continue for some time, and he strongly urged the practice of every possible ' ccenomy to save paper and build up reserves against possible contingencies in the future. With economy and mutual help between newspaper proprietors lie considered that the supplies lie had been able arrange for would enable the New Zealand Press to tide over their present difficulties. To be on the safe side, however, they would have to restrict the size of their papers and reduce consumption for tlu- time being to the ;lowest possible limit. \ Mr Carmichael promised to do his utmost to relieve the situation, but unless those newspapers with reserve stocks were willing to co-operate it would be difficult for him to very much in the matter of this year’s supplies. , . . ..... in the course of the discussion which followed, a number of those present pointed out the difficulties which confronted them in ensuirng the delivery of orders, and the list handed round had disclosed the fact that on several instances the stocks were insufficient to enable publications beyond A few weeks time. ' . , It was decided to solid a -circular to members of the Newspaper •■Proprietors Association, urging that, all members who have reserve stocks on hand should assist those in short supply by authorising Mr Carmichael to divert the whole or 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, the proprietors be urged to conserve • supplies'to; the utmost of their ability r -an<lto reduce the size of newspapers wherever possible. The question of curtailment of. advertising space was discussed, and it was resolved: “That in view of the uncertainty regarding the future of newsprint supplies and the enormous increase in the price of newsprint; the proprietors be urged to abstain for the present from entering into contracts for a longer period than three months. A resolution specially thanking Mr Carmichael for his efforts to secure supplies, and expressing appreciation of his services generally, was carried by acclamation .