Banned Books.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1923, Page 4

Banned Books.

MYSTERY OF CENSORSHIP. AUCKLAND. Jan a. In an article regarding the censer ship of books in the Dominion. Lb, “Herald” says:—

So far as it known among representative importers of hooks and technical on biological subjects there appears to be a mystery about the censorship. Who dett rinnie.'whether publications are or are nut to ho regarded as indecent documents and banned trom sale and circulation, and who decides the State's “Index Expitrgatonou.s” f There i.s no definite answer, it appears, however, that : system of book censorship is managed in conjunction with the importation n: dainty fabrics, and highly coloured flannelette.

“All that we know about the hull on hooks," .said an Auckland importer of books and publication., “is that tin. rights of prohibiting the binding of books that have been banned i.s exercised by the Customs' Department. We do not know with whom ii, s the responsibility of determining whether or not a book is indecent. It is not likely that such a responsibility would ho thrust upon, tho Landing Waiter at the wharf.. No doubt there is a high official somewhere who is responsible for the ban on. certain hooks, hut our diffioultyq is to know exactly to whom wo should appeal when in doubt. This difficulty affects our bushes,. It j, part of «ur ordinary duty to simly the publication and linrit of new hooks, and quite lYeuoqntly we are restrained from importing certain books because of their uncortamy ns to their fate at the hands of Ihe unknown censor.

We have been a. very long time in the business as direct importers for tho trade, and have no hesitation in saying that the Now Zealand demand has never shown a preference for pornographic stuff. Such rubbish has oliea had a big sale simply through the attempted prohibition which meant free and undeserved advertisement.''

The same importer produced tb Customs Department's list of books and publications which bail been submilti.' to tho Controller’s office, and whir' were regarded as covered by the pro hibilion. The list included four puli': rations from the saint office which ha always bad a wide notoriety for ieclic rous allusions, though in the canili of product ion and elsewhere m-illa the authorities nor tin people appeal to he .squeamish about, raw stories, are jokes in annuals. One of the prahilii led Imoks is by Victoria. Cross, a.n.l three, more are separate works of brilliant French authors. Of tla.se one is l>v Dninlet, another hv Gautier, am! the'third l.v M. llrieux. whose boo': was dramatised and staged here aelsewhere without demoralising sturdy New Zealanders, ft is the Lotus series of French classic; that lias lalhn foul of the prim authorities in New Zealand. The volumes banned are “Sapbo." by Daudet. and “Jldlle rle Manpin." by Gautier. TTicse may ho too warm for the glacial morality of the Dominion, hut Loudon and Baris would laugh to learn that each is considered to he indecent in progressive New Z a laud, ft is probable that, tie prejudice against Gautier's roinaJtee has Keen accent lulled by the tact that one of the earlier translations circulated in New Zealand was done in lurid colours, and a pmsemition followed. The new translation t said by 1 xpert • to he ■; hnlarly and charming. 11 U mentioned by an Auckland book seller tlint. wild ■■ one of tv. - pit re a ted Ur. mil novels now banner was magisterially comb Pined in t Kmchurch, end tin' shipment coith-mi «' and destroyed, it was net in Am k |.,j,,| . Tli . rireula! tolls of it do" mo appear to l.av mad- Auckland any worse, and tlmre is no vi-AU prom that the prohibition ol the book hamad." Christ ehitreli any belter. D i down tin'll' nt nnv rati' Unit. I*’? is slink mi.