PAPER SHORTAGE.

Taihape Daily Times, 27 September 1918, Page 5

PAPER SHORTAGE.

DRASTIC ECONOMY PROPOSED. MELBOURNE, Sept 16. The fact that the use of paper will - have to be considerably limited, and that immediately, was emphasised today by Mr. William Brooks, of Sydney, who bas become controller of paper at the invitation of the Federal Government, * Mr. Brooks has taken steps to get into immediate touch with the paper trade, and is inviting proprietors of the daily newspapers to attend a conference in Melbourne early next week, Mr. Brooks stated that he recognsed i that the task ahead of him was a j complex one, as he had to limit substantially the importation an,d use of all classes of paper in Australia. The requirements of the war made it imposible to import anything like the quantity of paper that normally came from overseas. No doubt a sudden restriction would somewhat dislocate the trade, and the Press, but in war time it was the sudden things that 1 happened. The restriction in the use | of paper would apply not only to all | newspapers, but to trade catalogues and advertising matter, periodicals of j all descriptions, and, in fact, every- | thing for which paper was used. He j was intimating to those engaged in j the paper trade that paper and similar i materials must be sold only in reasonable quantities for immediate requirements, and solely to bona fide users; that no 'stocks must be held hack for purely speculative purposes and that rigid economy must be observed in the use of paper bags, cardboard boxes, and wrapping material generally. All these things would 'be dealt with specifically at a very early date, but in tbe meantime be urged the trading and general public to start economising. The utmost care. Mr. IBrooks said, would be taken to conserve all interests, and to impose the fairly and equitably. No doubt there ■ would be a limitation imposed upon i any new publications," and certainly j there could be no enlargement of ,pre- | sent publications. In a very short time publishers of books would be required to ' obtain permission before pulishing any fresh matter.