NEWSPRINT PAPER.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 494, 6 January 1920, Page 2

NEWSPRINT PAPER.

Shortage in The Supply.

Size of Publications.

Reduction Suqgested.

The shortage in newsprint paper in Canada and America, as has been indicated in recent cablegrams, is likely to seriously affect New Zjaland, which is entirely dependent upon Canada for supplies. Mr P. Selig, manager of the Christchurch i Press Company, Limited, and chairman of the Newspaper Proprietors' Association of New Zealand, who is at present on a visit to Auckland, has received cable advice that the position is already serious. " Mr Selig stated that he had been advised by cable that on account of the shortage the Australasian representative of the Canadian mills was leaving by the Niagara for Canada, and would like to see him in Auckland on his way through. Mr Selig says his association warned the members of the possibility of a shortage about three months ago, but a large quantity of paper had been consumed by the leading offices during the •lection periods, and some were not holding sufficient stocks to be safe. This had been brought about mainly by the mills failing to send all the paper ordered frtr 1919, and it now looked as if there was going to be considerable difficulty in socuring supplies The United States has been short of paper for some time, owing to the production being less than the quantity required by the newpaper offices. Canada was sending a large quantity of paper into the States until the .position there became serious. The paper controller appointed during the war rectn'ly announced that he would not allow a single sheet of newsprint to be exported from Canada while the local demand was unsatisfied. This probably was affecting the supply for New Zealand. There would also be a heavy increase in the pi ice of the paper for this y6&r, and in tho meantime Mr Selig counselled the cutting down of the papers in size and the conservation of every sheet possible. Taking advantage of the pretence in Auckland of the Prime Monster, Mr Selig interviewed Mr Massey respecting the position of affairs for New Zealand, pointing out that it would be a very serious matter for the D6#inion if any of its papers had to. s'ilfipend publication for want of paper. Mr Massey undertook, at Mr Selig's request, to cable to the Prime Minister of Canada immediately, pointing out the position here i with respect to stoAs, and requesting him not to stop supplies for this > Dominion.