BANNING OF BOOKS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 January 1933, Page 2

BANNING OF BOOKS

FEDERAL MINISTER’S POLICY

CANBERRA, January 17

Aldous Huxley’s novel “Brave New World,” which has been banned because of its alleged obscenity, lias been withdrawn from the shelves of the Federal Parliamentary Library. The newly-appoiniied -Minister for Customs (Mr T \Y. White), who arrived at Canberra to-day, said that the action ot banning the book had been taken by Air Perfcjns as Assistant-Min-ister for Customs. He himself had not seen the hook, and, therefore, could not offer an. opinion on its merits or de-merits. Ho felt, however, that, as in the case of films, the obscene should be banned in literature. He would, as soon as possible, consult the Bepirtmentel files relating to the book, and look at the book itself. It was within the province of any importer of the hook to take action at law to challenge the banning of the hook. A London message says Aldous Huxley is in bed suffering from influenza, and is unable to comment on Australia’s decision to ban his novel. The' Irish Fiie© 'State 'has 'already banned it. The Alexandria Book Club (Egypt) recently burned an earlier novel, “Point Counter Point.” The “Manchester Guardian,” in a sub-leader on Australia's banning of “Brave New World,” says: “The old fault of the keepers of public morals is that they never wait to understand before condemning. Huxley’s theme is harmless enough) and there is little to titillate 'the prurient in liis trenchant satire on the cult of progress in the grimmest of Utopias. It is a pity if Australia follows the example set bv the Irish Free State, Boston, and elsewhere by exercising this official tyranny over reputable, authors."*