“GOD’S LITTLE ACRE”

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29068, 3 December 1959, Page 24

“GOD’S LITTLE ACRE”

Victorian Ban Ab surd" (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) SYDNEY, December 1. A Melbourne Magistrate’s ruling that Erskine Caldwell’s bestseller, “God’s Little Acre,” was obscene was criticised today by Professor A. G. Mitchell, professor of English at the University of Sydney. "This is another absurd decision that I don’t understand,” he said. “It is another sign of the generally backward approach made to a subject when some narrow-gauge mind is the yardstick of what is proper for all.” In Melbourne yesterday, Mr W. Griffin, S.M., ordered- four copies of the novel produced in Court to be destroyed after the time for lodgment of notice of appeal against his ruling that the novel was obscene, had elapsed. A legal authority said the effect of the ruling was that a bookseller could be prosecuted for selling the book in* Victoria. The Magistrate said that from the evidence, he was satisfied that the book was obscene, though of recognised literary merit At the Melbourne hearing, Ivor Charles Hammet, inspector of publications for the Department of Customs, gave evidence for the defence. He said he regarded the book as a work of literary merit