In answer to Tony Dellaway's question, I have dozens of Meloto rolls
and I can find no evidence that these rolls were made to run slowly
specifically to reduce the amount of paper used.

Their popular dance rolls were usually punched for Tempo 80 for singing
and Tempo 90 for dancing.  Ballads were slower at around Tempo 60 to
70.  The very long classical rolls were sometimes punched for speeds
as low as Tempo 40 in places, but this is most probably in order to get
the entire length of the tune, or selection, onto the large spool, and
hence into the piano spoolbox.

In general, Meloto rolls are well arranged and good fun to play.  The
classical selections do, however, need to be 'played' in order to get
the most musical effect.

With best regards from the UK,
Nicholas Simons