SHOULD AUSTRALIAN GIRLS READ NOVELS ?

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1222, 19 March 1914, Page 4

SHOULD AUSTRALIAN GIRLS READ NOVELS ?

Next to America, the Australian public as a whole workers, middle class aud well-to-do —consumes a greater quantity of reading matter per year than any other people under the sun. So says a writer in the March issue of Everylady’s Journal. Analysing further, the writer states that the Australian girl, compared with her English sister, has a remarkably wide knowledge, if not of literature at least of books. Aud it is on the quality of these books, aud the question ot whether or not the quauty should be limited, that this article turns. The question was put to a number of leading public men, and these are, in effect some of the replies received : The Hon. P. M. Glynn, Minister for External Affairs, thinks that the young girl should be kept away from books that obtrude, iu a fetching garb, the seamy side of life, but that literature like that of Scott, where a healthy mind reflects itself on every page, is the stimulant required for the developiug miud. Sir Josiah Symon, K.C., thinks that girls should be allowed the free run of libraries, and no restriction should be placed on their readings. "Let them read where aud what they will,” he says. "Ban a book, and you shroud it iu mystery aud arouse curiosity.” The Premier of Victoria, Mr Watt, ou the other hand, says : "From the point of view of the girl alone, I am of opinion that no young girl should be allowed the free run of any library. Mental indigestion is sure to follow, and the consequent ailments may be just as awful as those dire ills which the patent medicine advertisements say follow upon ordinary common or garden indigestion.” Mr Watt adds a list of books that he would recommend lor girls’ reading. Sir Langdon Bouylhon, of Adelaide, would rather give a girl the free run of libraries than a boy. Girls, as a rule, do not look for harm, aud read things without comprehending or applying them. However, says Sir Langdon, the advent of a certain type of popular fiction calls for more supervision than formerly, aud, adds Sir Langdon himself: "1 think that such control as is exercised should be suggestive rather than prohibitive. Encourage a taste tor sound reading aud the rest will follow.” Mr Frank Tate, Director of Education, and Mr Paris Nesbitt, K.C., also give their opinions, and the symposium is given added value by the lists of books for girls that are suggested. It is au article that every parent should read. In the same issue of Bverylady’s Journal are many other attractions and fashion designs that make it au excellent sixpeun’rlh for every womau.