The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, JAN. 17; 1891. The Book Fiend

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 89, 17 January 1891, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, JAN. 17; 1891. The Book Fiend

Considerable interest was manifested by the public iv the case heard in Feilding, on Weduesday last, by the Resident Magistrate, of Mr John Stevens versus the agents of the " Australasion Pictorial Atlas." A full report is given elsewhere of the' evidence in the case, and there can be no question that the decision of the R,M. was given strictly on its merits. However much the sympathies of the Magistrate were with the plaintiff, because he confessed himself he had beep a victim of the book fiend on at least two occasions, he had to give a verdict which supported the contract that had been entered into by the parties to the suit. In the course of his summing up he warned the public against the wiles of the book fiend, and advised that when they wished to procure a book they should go to a respectable bookseller for it. Of course that may be met by saying that the books and publications which form the stock in trade of the book fiends are never seen in the shops of booksellers ; and further, that unless the book fiends brought them under the notice of their intended victims, the latter would never hear of them — and therefore never want them. Well, •'So much the better" would say ninety-nine out of every hundred of people who have become purchasers. We do not intend to suggest that anyone should interfere with the right of every British subject to buy what he likes, or spend his money in any foolishness that may strike him, but still we do think he should be protected eyen against himself. The way to do that in the present instance is for the Legislature to pass a short Act under which licenses could be issued to book fiends to sell publications by subscription, the same to be subject to the approval of the Colonial Secretary, or an officer to be appointed by him, wbich wpuld carry with it a guarantee that the book or publication was fit or proper to be read or seen, and the price was fair and reasonable. Such an Act would improve these nuisances oft the face of the colony. Meantime the public should be careful not- to sign any ; contract form or document, printed or Otherwise, until they have the book or other publication which they are purchasing, before them. By this means alone can they guaid against imposition.