WORLD PAPER SCARCITY

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 524, 20 April 1920, Page 2

WORLD PAPER SCARCITY

HUGE INCREASE PER TON. PRE-WAR £ll 10s—NOW 3:95. Maybe some readers of the "Times" thought we were exaggerating when we stated, in the course of a recen*; leading article, that the pi ice of paper had increased by over 800 per cent, over pre-war figures. The iollowing report, from the Press Association, proves our statement:- •- ~ The conference of newspaper proprietors from Dunedin, Christchuth, Auckland and Wellington was neld at Wellington to consider what steps should be taken to meet the critical situation arising out of the difficulty of securing newsprint. Mr. P. ££elig presided. It was reported that in a number of cases the position of newspapers in the Dominion was serious. The slocks of paper in hand were perilously low and future' supplies scarce and uncertain. Not only was there a world scarcity of newsprint b.t prices had soared to unprecedented heights. Last week the only paper procurable for early delivery was quoted at £95 per ton, as against the pre-wai' figure of £ll 10s per ton; and some proprietors had been compelled to purchase at this extravagant figure. Owing to the situation in Canada it was practically impossible to place ordeas there with r.,iy hope of having them filled this yesr, and Scandinavian paper could be procured only in small lots and with uncertain delivery. The question of reducing the she of city papers was discussed, anti it was agreed that measures in this direction were urgently necessary, :md that all economies possible to ensure a reduction in the quantity of paper used should be practised. It was decided to lecommend to the newspaper proprietors in the four chief centres of population that steps should be taken immediately to curtail us severely as possible the .'pace devoted to the display of advertising.

A deputation was appointed to wait on thy Prime Minister to urge that unlil paper supplies sufficient to meet the needs of the newspapers of New Zealand are procurable from Canada, the duty on Scandinavian paper should he "lifted."