BUSINESS GOES ON AS USUAL

New Zealand Listener, Volume 4, Issue 84, 31 January 1941, Page 11

BUSINESS GOES ON AS USUAL

London Publishers Defy Air Raids

NE of the new arrivals now in New Zealand bookshops is a fine example of the speed and efficiency with which publishers in London are grappling with the effects of the war. The whole stock of this book, according to "Books of To-day," was destroyed in one of the air-raids on London late in September. As soon as the debris had been cleared out of the way, the book was reset and copies were received in New Zealand in time for the holiday trade. The September air raids, particularly later in the month, severely affected several publishing houses in London. One large firm had all the books it had just prepared for publication in the English autumn destroyed. It proceeded at once to have three important books reset, and to make arrangements for others to follow. Over a million books-some bound, some unbound-were lost when a large printing and binding factory in North London was bombed. Several publishing houses suffered less damage. The chief interruption to some businesses was caused by the presence of time-bombs in the neighbourhood; their premises had to be closed until the bombs had been dealt with, One timebomb which penetrated the building occupied by a firm of publishers and lodged underneath it was removed by the same bomb-disposal squad as saved St. Paul’s Cathedral. In one week nearly a dozen publishing firms were brought to a standstill for varying periods, by the presence of timebombs. The London office of Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd., which had its windows broken when a neighbouring newspaper office was bombed, is in the St. Paul’s area, which was cordoned off for five days. Because of damage to their premises several publishers are now doing business from addresses out of London. Booksellers in London, particularly jn the St. Paul’s area, also suffered severely. One very large shop has been totally destroyed by bombs and fire. Another effect of the war on the publishing trade is indicated by the fact that the factory of at least one large printing firm closely associated with the book trade has been commandeered by the Government for conversion into a factory making aircraft tools. Apart from the interference of air taids with the publishing business in Great Britain, there are inevitably some delays in the arrival of mails, But practically all of the new books which were intended to arrive in New Zealand before Christmas were here in time. In the circumstances the quickness with which orders are dealt with and books despatched from London is an amazing tribute to England’s coolness.