CHURCH AND LITERATURE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29599, 23 August 1961, Page 6

CHURCH AND LITERATURE

Methodist Synod Discussion Although New Zealand was taking effective measures to deal with the arrival and distribution of indecent literature, something more positive could be done by the Church in helping to turn children away from the growing amount of trashy literature. This was agreed by the North Canterbury Methodist Synod at its annual meeting yesterday. The synod was discussing a report of the New Zealand public questions committee on the question of undesirable literature in the Dominion.

Speaking on the proposal outlined in the committee’s annual report, Mr H. W. Beaumont, editor of the “New Zealand Methodist Times,” suggested that the Government should have its hands strengthend with regard to the importation of literature, irrespective of possible profits or losses. Other suggestions from members were that the churches could give further guidance to children in this respect. Such help. It was said, was necessary amid the prevalent flood of poor literature available. To aid in I the preliminary stages the Customs Department should more closely handle censorshin.

The Rev. W. T. Blight said he would like to emphasise that children were not yet ready to read widely and critically. • Also in agreement, the Rev. A. K. Petch said that official protection was not necessarily sufficient. “No protection in the world is going to help them,” he said. “We must make ready to our young people more suitable literature—which they will enjoy and find exciting—but at present they just don’t know where to get it. “If we in the Church can help them to develop a proper literary taste and to discern what- is worth while, I believe we will be doing something to stop the spread of this trashy literature throughout the country.”

The matter will be discussed further at the Dominion synod in November.