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than general inflation, since tion offset that, but our sales ted supporters have respon- we've had a HE PINo I HAN For a while, rising circula- Many of our more commit- urgently. In . I at 20p since August 1980. plateau, with only very slow again. But that spring can The total is £ 31 pages as against 12 then-and increases.

been operating on a tight- can only build up so far.

Fund-raising from a Edinburgh £S1 Challenge 25p. Militant and groups or a reporier to a must look to. But here and tions to Socia Socialist Worker, cach with big dispute like the present now good intentions, or even 28 Middle Lanc their own printworks, are one at Leyland Vehicles, it firm plans for sales and fundstill 20p. though Socialist requires careful lugging to raising, will not pay bills. THE Socialist Organiser Delegate Meeting last Saturday decided to raise the price of Socialist Organiser from 20p to 25p. This increase will go into operation from lebruary 18. The price to claimants and strikers will remain at 10p.

The price is no higher than general inflation, since Socialist Organiser has been at 20p since August 1980. Moreover we now have 16 pages as against 12 then-and (we think) a better (we think) a better and broader coverage broader coverage.

Tribune is 35p. Labour Wickly 30p and Socialist Challonge 25p. Militant and Saralist Worker, cach with then own printworks, are still 20p. though Socialist Worker is noir having do run Worker is now having to run special €10,000 fund appeal to avoid a rise to 25p.

Despite all this, we took the decision with regret. Some delegates opposed the increase.

But the majority were convinced by the financial report. Our costs are going up, the same as all prices. for a while, rising circulation offset that, but our sales now seem to have reached a plateau, with only very slow increases. been operant on a have rope. Each time we produce rope. Hach time we produce a campaign or solidarity leatlet, send a circular to local groups or a reporier to d big dispute like the present one at Leyland Vehicles, it requires careful luggling to get cash for paper, fares.

And while we are scrabbling for these relatively small amounts, we are building up bigger and bigger debts to suppliers and for essential services.

We have kept afloat by repeated appeals for funds. Many of our more committed supporters have responded tremendously, again and again. But that spring can only be tapped so often. And the backlog of debts And the backlog of debts can only build up so far.

Fund-raising from wider circle of readers, and increased sales are what we must look to. But here and now good intentions, or even firm plans for sales and fundraising, will not pay bills.

That's why we have to raise the price. The means of making sure it's the last price increase for a long time lie in our readers' hands it all depends on the political work of extending sales and support.

Meanwhile we still need contributions and donations urgently. In the last week, we've had a much better response than for a while. The total is £308.

Stoke £10; Stoke £10; Oxford £57; Bristol £25; Coventry £40; Durham £22; Durham £22; Islington £55; Edinburgh £50; F.. London £30; Lambeth £ 19.

Keep it up! Contributions to Socialist Organiser, 28 Middle Lane, London N8.