WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 May 1917, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE PAPER FAMINE. (From Our Own Correspondent). Wellington, May 23. The-fact that two long-established newspapers in Christchureh are suspending publication for the duration of the .war will direct general attention to the troubles of a section of the community that has not been receiving the sym-1 jpatliy it deserves. The popular delu-j sion that running a newspaper is always an easy and a profitable job is even more persistent than are the familiar superstitions concerning lucky and unlucky numbers and days. But people behind the scenes know that the war has hit the newspapers far harder than it has hit most ether commercial enterprises and that during the past year they have been struggling along under a gathering load of unparalleled difficulties. Now as a last straw the acute shortage of paper is threatening to submerge soinc of them altogether. THE MINISTER CONCERNED'. The Hon. A. M. Myers, the Minister of Munitions and Supplies, is the person who has to shave the troubles of the immediate sufferers from the paper famine and, it must be added, the troubles of many other people who are seriously embarrassed by the shortage of shipping. He is being bombarded by requests and demands to do this or that or the other thing in order that folk may get goods into the'eountry or send goods away. His office is converted into a huge inquiry bureau .where sufferers of all degrees seek relief from some condition created by the war. But amid9t it all, the Minister Temains impcrturbably calm, patient and courteous. If he cannot satisfy all the people who appeal to him he at least sends them away with the impression he is doing his best. WHAT MAY HAPPEN. But courtesy and tact even when sup-' plemented by business ability cannot overcome all the difficulties that beset the paper question. The Government is now taking a census of the supplies on hand in the hope of getting a,bett"er Insight into the position. This proceeding is being resented by some of tthe newspaper suspect the authorities of having designs upon their stocks. But there need be iio fear on that score. Mr. Myers and his colleagues are not contemplating making a raid upon the supplies prudent proprietors have laid up for a rainy day. Their purpose is to assist the newspapers as far as possible in weathering the crisis and in continuing to serve the public as is their special province and duty at the present time.

" POSSIBLE ECONOMIES. "" It is understood that the National Efficiency Board has suggested to the Government that the suspension of some of the newspapers would release a number of men for the. front and save a considerable amount of material. But even the Board has hesitated to make its suggestion a recommendation, and Ministers being only human and politicians at that, are not likely to consider it seriously. It is expected, however,, that , very drastic economics will be effected in the Government Printing Office and that they will react upon the employment of labor. Protests have been made in Parliament and in the \Pres» times without number against the waste pi .paper and labor in printing unnecessary reports and returns and the war has provided an excellent reason for effecting permanent economies with great advantage to the tax-payer and the State.