NEWSPAPERS IN PERIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 May 1920, Page 5

NEWSPAPERS IN PERIL.

WORLD SHORTAGE OF PAPER.

SMALL SUPPLIES IN SIGHT.

JOURNALS TO BE SMALLER. By Telegraph.—Press Association. . Wellington, Last Night. The critical position of many New Zealand newspapers, due to the shortage of newsprint paper supplies, was responsible for a big gathering of newspaper proprietors at Wellington to-day. The meeting was called by the New Zealand Newspaper Proprietors' Association, and •vas attended by representatives of practically the whole of the daily Press of the Dominion.

Mr. C. Earle, who presided, explained (hat the meeting had been called in order that the newspaper proprietors might learn at first hand from the principal suppliers of newsprint paper to the Press of New Zealand exactly what the position was ahead of them. Owing to the scarcity of printing paper, and the irregularity of shipments, many newspapers had reached an exceedingly critical stage. Some had only a few weeks' supply of paper in stock, and could not lie certain whether additional supplies would come to hand in time to enable them to avoid the necessity of closing down. It was hoped that all newspapers holding reserves of paper stock would assist, as Bome of them had already done, those less fortunately situated until the present exceptional pinch had passed. Mr. W. B. Carmidinel, the representative of several Canadian paper mills, and the principal supplier of newsprint paper to New Zealand, outlined the efforts 113 had made to ke&p the Dominion's newspapers going in face of heavy difficulties. There was a world shortage of paper, resulting from an abnormal demand in the United States, Canada, and elsewhere, following on the war, which had made it impossible at times to buy paper at any price. The existing shortage was, in his opinion, likely to continue for some time, and he. strongly urged the practice of every possible economy to save paper and build up reserves against possible contingencies in future. With economy nnd mutual help between newspaper proprietors he considered that the supplies he had been uole to arrange for would about enable the New Zealand Press to tide over their present difficulties, and to be 011 the safe sid?. However, they would have to restrict the size of their papers, and reduce consumption for the time being to the lowest possible limit. Sir. Carmiciiael promised to do his utmost to relieve the situation, but unless those newspapers holding reserve stocks were willing* to cooperate it would be difficult for him to do very much in the matter of this year's supplies.

lii the course of ft discussion which followed, a number of those present pointed out the difficulties which confronted thorn in securing the delivery of orders, and a list handed in disclosed the fact that in several instances stocks in hand were .insufficient to enable publication beyond a few weeks' time.

It was decided to send a circular to members of the Newspaper Proprietors' Association, urging that all members who have reserve stocks on hand .should assist those in short supply by authorising Mr. Carmichael to divert the whole or a portion of the balance of their supplies due for delivery this year to more necessitous cases.

It was further resolved that in view of the critical situation arising out of tlie scarcity of newsprint, proprietors ba urged to conserve supplies to the utmost of their ability, and to reduce the size of their papers wherever possible. Thft question of the curtailment of advertising spaces was discussed, and it was resolved: "That in view of the uncertainty regarding future newsprint supplies, and the enormous increase in the price of newsprint, proprietors be urged to abstain for the present from entering into advertising contracts for a longer period than three months." A resolution specially thanking Mr. Carmichael for his efforts to secure supplies, and expressing appreciation of lfis services generally, was carried with acclamation.