Who Censors Magazines ?

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 41, 18 February 1937, Page 6

Who Censors Magazines ?

PROTEST FROM LIBRARIANS IN CONFERENCE. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. Tho mutilation of magazines through censorship was discussed iu a remit from the Canterbury Public Library at the conference of the New Zealand Library Association in Wellington. The remit, which was carried, read; ’’That the attention of the Government be drawn to the unnecessary mutilation of magazines by the censor whereby portions of reading matter were made useless and the public encouraged to further mutilation.’’ Mr. S. E. J. Bell (Canterbury ) said it would be interesting to ascertain whether magazine mutilation was carried on all over New Zealand or only in parts of the'country. *‘l have ascertained from a reliable source that this mutilation is done by any ordinary customs clerk," he continued. “A great many people, and I for one, object te such a person censoring magazines. The whole matter is of vital interest to all libraries and magazine readers in the Dominion.' ’ Mr. Bell said he would like to know who had the right to censor all the books that came into the country. Mr. C. W. Collins (Canterbury University College) pointed out that material received direct from America was not mutilated in any way." ‘•\Ve ought to indicate that we do believe in a very rigid censorship,"** said Dr. S. C. Allen (New Plymouth), who suggested making representations to the publishers who would then probably be able to distribute their magazines unmutilated. “The censorship is wrong and we should not try too much to alter world events in a little place like New Zealand," he added. Mr. E. E. Wiltshire (Linwood, Christchurch) also said obliteration was impossible mainly because of the small magazine market in New Zealaud. No doubt the larger circulations in Australia would account for the fact that undesirable advertisements were left blank. “All the same, ’ ’ he added, "most advertisements regarded as objectionable can be seen in New Zealand publications. ’ ’