CENSORSHIP OF BOOKS ON HONOUR SYSTEM

Chronicle (Levin), 8 October 1947, Page 5

CENSORSHIP OF BOOKS ON HONOUR SYSTEM

WELLINGTON, Oet. 7. The question of what system was adoxited in connection with book censorship was raised liy Mr. E. W. Doidgu (Tauranga) when the. vote for the Customs Department was diseussed in the House of Representatives. Mr. Nash said licenees were issued on the honour system and bookselIer.i were asked not to order eertain types suclt as those dealing with "blood and thunder" crime and sexuality. There had been a treniendous decrease in the importation of undesirable literature over the past. ten years. The Minister said he had made" a mistake last year when he said that a book he had only half read ("Forever Amber") should not be read by anyone else. The boolc was promptly in great demand and though its importation was banned, hundreds of single copies caine into the country privately. He probably did harm in referring to it. . In actual practice he did not know that there was anyone who was able to determine wfiat another person should read but it was desirable to restriet th^ type of book which would have an upset-ting eff'ect on young people. An Opposition member suggested that there niight lie a categ'ory oi" books which eould only be issued to persons over 21, Mr. Nash replied that such a stipulation wouhl only stimulate the demand for books so designated.