“ALL QUIET” PLEA

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 713, 12 July 1929, Page 14

“ALL QUIET” PLEA

COUNCIL SUPPORTS LIBRARIAN NO UPLIFT OF BANNING Eloquent pteas for a community acceptance of Erich Maria Remarque’s war book, “All Quiet on the Western Front,” were mao'e by Crs. F. N. Bartram and T. Bloodworth without avail to the City Council last evening. The council heard differing views on the book until 11.40 p.m. and then stated its confidence in the judgment of the chief librarian, Mr. John Barr, who banned the book from the library. Important echoes of the move in New Zealand resulting in the banning of the book in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin public libraries were heard when the statement came from the Library Committee that its policy had been to leave the selection of books for the libraries in the hands of Mr. Barr, that it desired to reiterate its confidence in the chief librarian and his judgment, and that it saw no reason to depart from its settled policy. Cr. Bartram immediately moved as an amendment that the hook should be in circulation in the central library and the branches. “I am not criticising Mr. Barr,” Cr. Bartram said. “He is entitled to his judgment, hut I do say that he should not he able to carry out what has been moral censorship. At all times I shall champion the rights of this council to review the chief librarian’s decisions. There would not be carping criticism in this; simply co-oper-ation. Such a move would be served by placing Remarque’s book on the library shelves.” Cr. Bartram disagreed with the banning and the library’s report. He was, however, thankful to Mr. Barr for banning the book and so giving the book au advertisement that had increased its readers by thousands. He admitted that some of the incidents related in “All Quiet” could have been left out without affecting the story, but, judged as a whole, the book stood out as a genuine and ghastly story of the war. “It is a horrible, stark story,” Cr. Bartram said. “It tells of the subduing of the idealism of youth into the sordidness of conflict and massacre. TRUE PICTURE “It is true that it has been banned as being crude and lewd, but war is filthy, beastly and lewd, too. Returned soldiers have told me that the book could well have been written by a New Zealander. “I contend that the presence of a Christian on the battlefield is an affront. A Christian has no business to be in the centre of slaughter. If Christians kept true to their ideals, there would be a powerful agent against war. The critics of ‘All Quiet’ have censured its style and its phraseology, but not one has ventured to say that it is not a true picture. I would rather take the opinion of Sir lan Hamilton than that of our librarian. “It is the duty of every public body to try to create the psychology of peace, and there is no reason for the banning of this book. It tells a story which must impress.” Cr. E. J. Phelan seconded the amendment, and Cr. Bloodworth, speaking in support, said that the book was great literature and propaganda. “I read it between the services last Sunday,” Cr. Bloodworth said. “The truth of war should be all the truth. The question is: Should the book be placed in the hands of our schoolgirls and schoolboys? After careful thought, I say it should. The young people today will be the victims of the next war, if there is one. Although the boys went out to the last war, it was the girls who sent them there in many cases. That is why the girls should know the horror of slaughter.” SUPPORT FOR LIBRARIAN Praise of the chief librarian’s judgment was made by Cr. I-I. P. Burton, who attacked Cr. Bloodworth’s views. “For Cr. Bloodworth to say that the book does not show coarseness or lewdness and is not likely to injure any mind is wrong,” Cr. Burton said. “I know Cr. Bloodworth’s sincerity, but, if the council does not uphold the chief librarian’s action, it will be taking a retrograde step. I know the horrors of war and there is nothing in the book that I did not know before. Was the war not fought for a principle? Would not we do it again, much as we hate war? The librarian has taken the only true attitude.” Cr. G. W. Hutchison mentioned that, as not all the councillors had seen the book, they were not in a position to vote. “I trust that the council will not take a step responsible for placing the book in the hands of young people,” said Cr. Ellen Melville. “If that were done, I would resign from the council. “The hook is not fit for unrestricted circulation, with all due respect to Cr. Bloodworth. We must show our faith in the librarian’s judgment.” When Cr. Bartram’s amendment to the motion supporting the committee’s finding came forward, the only voters were Crs. J. R. Lundon, Bartram, Phelan and Bloodworth. Cr. Lundon then moved an amendment that the question he adjourned until an opportunity was given councillors to study the book, hut this was defeated by 11 votes to 8 and the committee’s finding was supported.