NATIONAL LIBRARY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 90, 18 April 1911, Page 3

NATIONAL LIBRARY.

THE PARLIAMENTARY INSTITUTION. DISCUSSION AT AUCKLAND. [BI TELEGBAPH— SPECIAL TO IHE FOST.] AUCKLAND, This Day. In moving at the Libraries' Conference that the Parliamentary Library should be made the nucleus of a national library, Mr. H. Shaw (Auckland) stated that if all valuable books were gathered together under the one roof it would bo of inestimable advantage, especially to those engaged in soecial studies. Mr. T. W. Rowe (Christchurch) seconded the motion, and remarked that if the library was confined to works of interest only to politicians there would be some reason for making it exclusive to members of Parliament. The collec-t-ion in the library was better at a reference library than any in New Zealand, and if thrown open to the public would serve a more useful purpose than at present. Mr. Shaw moved in addition: "That for this purpose the privilege of taking out books shall be absolutely restricted to the Governor and members of tho Legislature, that the library shall be open daily to tho public as a reference library subject to such regulations as the Government may prescribe." Professor Brown (Auckland) agreed to any proposajl to convert the Parliamentary Library- into a public library, but objected to the two conditions imposed by Mr. Shaw. At present the library contained many valuable books for the exclusive use of men who did not make as much use of them as they should. The people should be in a position to take rare works away from the library upon request. The professor preferred a public library to a national library. REPRESENTATIONS TO BE MADE. Mr. M. Cohen (Dunedin) moved as an amendment: "That this association mr.ke representations to the Minister foi Education and the Parliamentary Committee in charge of the General Assembly Library, urging that such library shall be treated as a Dominion library and thrown open as fully c s practicable to the general uec of th« public." He urged that there should bs a{ conservation of public rights and i public funds, and the library "ought to j Belong to the people. Mr. A. H. Hindmarsh (Wellington) seconded the amendment, and strongly emphasised the point that the library should not be retained for the exclusive i use of Parliamentarians and friends. The president. Mr. T. W. Leye (Auckland), thought it was impossible for the Government to establish a national circulating library, and such a thing wot^ld compete with the local libraries, which wera well stocked with useful works. A reference library for the public based on practical lines and regarded as a national institution wa6 a great want. The Parliamentary Library 6hould not be preserved for' the exclusive use of members of Parliament, and permits issued to friends used and abused. Mir. Leys supported Mr. Shaw's motion in full. PRESENT. SYSTEM SUPPORTED. Mi-. C. Wilson (Librarian of the Parliamentary Library) stated that three years ago 700 had the privilege of using the library, last year 450, and when he left Wellington 620 privileges .had been issued for the current year. No one was excluded. The Governor, the Chief Justice, and a working blacksmith all used books out of the library. There wa.s no difficulty in aay one of respectable character getting into the library. The only books sent out were forwarded in baskets to members of Parliament, and the speaker declared that Parliamentarians read a great deal better claes literature than they were given credit for. "This libra-ry does not shut people out; it shuts out only the street loafer and others who crowd into public libraries spitting about and chewing to.bacco," declared Mr. Wilson with emphasis. He said a national library could not be a lending library. Mr. Cohen's amendment was carried.