SALE OF MAGAZINES

Taranaki Daily News, 28 September 1940, Page 8

SALE OF MAGAZINES

RESTRICTIONS EFFECT The most recent schedule of import licenses for next year is likely to affect the importation of magazines. It is thought that some English and Australian women's journals may be reduced in number. "If a customer wanted to place an order for an English or Australian magazine to be delivered regularly for a year I should be compelled to decline the order," said a New Plymouth bookseller, "not only because of the new import restrictions but because for that very publication I have customers whose magazines have been stopped although orders had been placed and subscriptions paid." Mentioning one particular women's journal, this bookseller said that the supply had been cut exactly in half and the customers who had to go without were stlll asking for the magazine. If a subscriber gives up a publication there is a "waiting list" eager to take it. A new clause in the import schedule under the heading "printed books, papers, music or advertising matter," says:— Importation will not be permlttea under^these licences of periodicals or magazines except approved publications reflecting current opinion and learned, scientific or technical publications. The names of the publications of that nature which it is desired to import should be submitted with applicatlons. "Naturally," the bookseller said, "we want to know what that means. We also want to know who is to be the judge and we also want to know whether the standard will be malntained. It may be quitc possible that a publication which one official may regard as "current opinion" may be turned down flat by another person and the importation be entirely banned." Importation figures show why a scarcity of books and magazines has arisen in the Dominion. In 1938, New Zealand imported books, magazines and music to the e: tent of £710,788. * In 1939 the flgure was £670,515. For the first six months of 1940 the value was £272,197,