PRICE OF PAPER

Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1920, Page 1

PRICE OF PAPER

PROTEST. AGAINST MIDDLEMEN’S METHODS. r .pun press association.“rOOPTniHuh'-. WELLINGTON, Nov. 30. A meeting of representatives of the metropolitan newspaper companies of NeW Zealand was held this morning. There wefe nine present representing the “Dominion,” “Evening New Zealand Times,” “New Zealand Herald,” “Christchurch Press”, “Lyttelton Times,” and “Dunedin Star.” Mr P. Sclig was voted to the chair. Sir G. Fenwick (“Otago Daily Times”) was unable to he present. Mr H. Brett (Auckland “Star”), wrote apologising for his absence, and protesting strongly against the price asked by the distributors of Canadian paper. The chairman explained the nature of tho busines before the meeting, the principal subject being that of the future supplies of newsprint and the new price. He explained the position so far as he had gathered it in Canada. The price then at the mills which were in combination in Canada (and who refused to supply, ns before the war, direct to the publishers here), was only about half that which was now being asked by those who had control of the Australian and New- Zealand market.

Tho general opinion of the meeting was that at this figure, the price -of the daily paper would hare to be increased to three pence per copy.

In view of . this, it was unanimously decided to wait upon the Minister, of Customs and to request that the 10 pen cent dt|ty on and other foreign paper should be either temporarily abolished, or reduced, to enable paper proprietors to .import Norwegian paper.

It was also decided to send a cable to the distributors of Canadian paper, protesting against the extravagant price now asked for this commodity.

During the meeting a. representative of ten Norwegian mills interviewed those present-, with a view to arranging for' future supplies from Norway. Later on, the whole of the members present waited, as a. deputation, on the Acting-Minister of Customs, and fully laid the position before him. He pro* mised to place the matter before tho Cabinet at- its next meeting.