Size Of Newspapers Cut To Newsprint Supply

Chronicle (Levin), 24 June 1949, Page 7

Size Of Newspapers Cut To Newsprint Supply

AUCKLAND, June 23^ y New Zealand suftered from a greater shortage of newsprint than either Great Britain or Australia, said the generai-manager of the N.Z. Herald, Mr. J. M. Hardcastle, when speaking at a luncheon of the Association of N.Z. Advertisers, today. Australian newspapers received a newsprint allocation equivalent to 501b. per head of the population, he saitU Newspapers in the United Kingdom now had 321bs„ per head of the population. This was double last year's allocation. New Zealand 's allocation, because of import restrictions, was only 261bs. per head; The eirculations of New Zealand newspapers- had inereased greatly sinee the war. This was caused partly by the inereased population but mainly by the public's inereased desire for news. Newsprint was ;freely offered on the world niarkets but because of dollar were severely restricted in size. The restrictions, New Zealand newspapers newsprint consumption of the (50 papers in New Zealand which were members of the Newspaper Proprietors' Association, was only 38 per eent of pre-war ligures. The tonnage used haa been restricted from 32,000 tons tOvthe present ligure of 21,000 tons. AlthougU the Newspaper Proprietors' Association was doing its best to get more newsprint, there was little hope of anything but a gradual increase. • ' He expected a great demand for more space • with three pcnding important events in New Zealand. These were the conscription referendum, the com.-' jng Election and tke Enipire Games. The conscription referendum was a matter of first national importance and the newspapers must do what th'ey I'duld to present the importance of tue question to the public. English newsprint bffering on the world niarkets was much dearer than Canadian print used by New Zealand newspapers, said Mr. Hardcastle. He hoped the priee would be reduced in. the uear future.