IMMORAL LITERATURE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 94, 17 May 1909, Page 4

IMMORAL LITERATURE.

A DIFFICULT MATTEK. DEPUTATION" TO SIU JOSEPH WARD. (.hristfhurch, .May 13. A large deputation, comprising ministers of religion, school teachers, and others, laid More the Premier yesterday the necessity for further legislation to prevent the dissemination of immoral and obscene literature. Bishop Grimes said the object of the deputation had his deepest sympathy. He felt sure that as soon as Sir Joseph Ward was made aware of the growing evil in regard to the spread of immodest, indecent, and filthy literature, he would do all in his power to stop it. It was dillicult to suggest a remedy, but as stringent steps were taken to prevent the spread of contagion and other dreaded diseases he thought the Government might in its wisdom take similar steps in respect to the prevention of the spreading of indecent literature. A department which had control of such matters had been established in the United States. The word "censorship" was an ugly one, and one that naturally provoked feelings of revolt, and 'whilst hi' had on several occasions referred 'o the clean press of New Zealand, and whilst lie was a supporter of the liberty of the Press, he thought that most people, knew the difference between freedom of the Press and shameless license, lie suggested that there should be authorities in each municipality who would have power to suppress' books of the character indicated.

Bishop Julius said Unit some time ago he hail been personally asked to prosecute in respect to certain books which he had examined. Jle had nei«T read anything more lllthy or more calculated to demoralise young readers. After considering the.matter he decided that it would be impossible for him to take action—first, because it would make the matter very public, and would, especially if the prosecution failed, advertise the books'. The prosecution had been taken up by the police, had failed, and the result had been a great demand for the books. Personally he much objected to censorship of the Press. There were certain newspapers published in the Dominion that were utterly disgraceful. Great good would be done if facility were given for suppression of the class of literature and newspapers referred to. They did not advocate any puritanical suppression of literature.' Air. 1). X. Adams said the books which ' formed the basis of the prosecution i'u this city were beyond expression tho filthiest conceivable. Since the prosecution these books were still being openly sold in the Dominion.

Mr. C. E. Salter, president of the Y.M.G.A., said the association was anxious' to have the literature of the Dominion purified. Mr. S. C. Owen, headmaster of East Christchurch School, said schoolmasters found that the elder children had no difficulty in obtaining the class of books referred to. The teachers had to institute a censorship, andliad to do a great deal of confiscation. This sometimes brought them in coulliet with parents, who resented their .action. lie suggested that there should ,be a list of prescribed literature, and even though it meant the employment of a reader bythc Government, he would be very glad If there was some censorship. Sir Joseph Ward, in replying, said the matter would receive the fullest consideration of tlie Government, which recognised, the importance of preventing the dissemination of the class of literature referred to. The dillieulty was to establish machinery which would not be regarded as' an interference with the liberty of the Press. The dillieulty of censorship was so great that he would not go into it at all. The Government had had representations on the subject from other parts, and the representations of flic deputation would be added to them, and would receive careful and full consideration.