West Coast Paper s Profits Dip

THE PROFITABILITY of West Coast Paper has recorded a small decline during the year ended June 30, 1966, after successive improvements over the preceding five years. Despite a rise in production and sales, the company's earnings have declined. The drop in profitability has been attributed to the continued rise in costs without any increase in the selling price of paper. The company's production increased to 34,123 tonnes of paper from 32,535 tonnes in the previous year. The company had produced 30,213 tonnes in 1963-64 and 27,252 tonnes in 1962-63. Despatches during 1965- 66 were higher by 3,000 tonnes at 34,199 tonnes.