MAXIMUM LIBERTY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 August 1938, Page 3

MAXIMUM LIBERTY

IMPORTATION OF BOOKS & MAGAZINES NO POLITICAL CENSORSHIP STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF FINANCE (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Efforts he had been making to discourage the importation of magazines likely to have a harmful effect on youthful minds were referred to by the Minister of Customs, the Hon W. Nash, during the discussion on the Estimates in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr Nash said the Government was now following the British policy of allowing the greatest possible liberty in the importation of literature so long as it was neither obscene nor advocated violence. The question arose when the Rt Hon G. W. Forbes (Opposition, Hurunui) asked what was the attitude of the Customs Department, which was the controlling authority, towards the importation of books and magazines generally. “The people have the right, as they should, to read what books they like,” the Minister said. “There is no censorship of political thought.” Mr Forbes: “Then anyone can bring in any class of literature they like?” Mr Nash: “Oh, no. They mpy not bring in anything that is nasty in the way of being obscene or advocates violence, but as far as political creeds are concerned there is no censorship.’ Mr Forbes: “What about Communism? Does it hot advocate violence?” “We believe it is far better to bring these things out in the open than to shut them up,” the Minister said. “We have the British procedure here now, and it allows of the maximum amount of liberty so long as people do not advocate violence.” Mr S. G. Smith (Opposition, New Plymouth) said there was strong resentment through the country about the importation of what were known as “pulp” magazines. He asked whether there was any restriction on that class of thing. “I think the best procedure to adopt in dealing with nasty publications is to refrain from giving them publicity,” Mr Nash said. “During the past three months I have done a good deal of work with the object of inducing booksellers and importers not to bring these magazines into the country, as I believed that such a course would be more effective than driving them underground. If these magazines still keep coming into the country, however —and they tend to disintegrate young minds ’ and bodies—the Government will have to consider taking some other action.” Mr Smith: “What about magazines printed in New Zealand?” Mr Nash: “The police can take action in that case.”