LOSING THE LEAD?
Sir-It was one of New Zealand’s proudest boast that, per capita, she was the highest purchaser of books in the British Commonwealth. It seems doubtful if the claim can be still sustained. Even in 1945 (the last year for which I have been able to find statistics) Australia was importing, per capita, nearly as many British books as New Zéaland, Australia’s home production was probably greatet ard she impéftéd more American books, Now for this yeat New
Zealand is apparently to be restricted to importing fewer books than last year, whilst Australia has no such restriction on the import of Britigh books. a This restriction is being made in New Zealand at a time when the British publishers have been asked by the Board of Trade to increase their 1948 exports by 50 per cert. on those for 1947. It is quite true that New Zealand has been asked to live within her incotie, But books are our main cultural import and require less thaf 1 per cent. of the total income. Thé whole basis and justification of import sélection is surely that
essential and worthwhile things shall be given preference. Books in all their variety must rank high on any such list. It was the task which I begat with, to show that fo nation of well instituted state, if they valued books at all, did ever tse the way of licensing. -Miltoh ( Areopadgitica).
R.G.
P.
(Wellington).
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 19, Issue 468, 11 June 1948, Page 5
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241LOSING THE LEAD? New Zealand Listener, Volume 19, Issue 468, 11 June 1948, Page 5
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