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Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1916, Page 4

A small matter, but one involving a principle, came up for discussion at Monday's meeting of tlie Stratford Borough Council. It was that of supplying free papers to the local libraries. Surprise was expressed by more than or.e member that a charge should be made by some of the newspaper? for papers supplied. It was for years' the custom of newspaper proprietors to supply free papers to public libraries; afterwards a nominal charge was made, and now 8. special rate is given to libraries paying in advane:. Because of this practice some people are disposed to look upon the granting of free papers to libraries and other institutions as a legitimate right, and when a charge, however out of proportion to the value given, is made they hold uj) their hands in indignation. Now, why should not a newspaper charge for its papers? Like other businesses, it has to live. It has to sell only advertising space and copies of the paper. Should the coal merchant deliver fuel gratis because it is a public library? Should the book binder do the binding free for the same reason? :Would any member of the Council supply the library with goods or execute work gratis just because it is a public library? If they would not, then why expect the newspaper to supply its goods free? Then is a good deal of misapprehension regarding the duty of newspapers in respect to the supply of papers. The penny charged, for a paper is only a token. If value were the measure, the charge would be much greater. The newspaper at a penny is the cheapest article sold for the price in the world. At the present time it scarcely covers the cost of the paper before it ia printed. The price of practically every article of manufacture has been increased as a result of the war. But the newspapers in New Zealand, at any rate, remains at a penny. In England, however, the Times is increasing its rate by Jd and other important dallies are following suit, simply because of the greatly increased cost of production; and the newspapers of New Zealand, whose cable and telegraphy and general news services are acknowledged to be the best in the world, would be thoroughly justified iu doing likewise, for nowhere is the increase felt more than here, owing to the infamous freight charges. For example, it costs the News 125 per cent, of the value of its paper at Montreal to bring it to New Plymouth. The paternal Government signalised its appreciation of the functions of the New Zealand newspapers in war time by promptly doubling the telegraphic charges a month or two after the war commenced. Then it increased the stamp charges devolving on the commercial department of newspapers by SO per cent. But none of these charges, nor many others, have as yet bien passe;! on to the public, though they could bo with every justification. Newspapers lure, however, had to cut down expenses wherever they can, eliminating free copies to libraries and other institutions being one of the economies. Now thai the Stratford councillors sue apprised of the position they will, perhaps, see the logic and reasonableness of the charges made by the bigger newspapers for the copies supplied.

LIBRARY NEWSPAPERS,