Customs’ Questions On Textbooks

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30499, 22 July 1964, Page 3

Customs’ Questions On Textbooks

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, July 21. The Auckland University Council has decided to write to the Minister of Customs (Mr Shelton) seeking an assurance that books ordered by the university will not, in any way, be subject to Customs censorship.

It was stated today that after two books ordered for the Psychology Department had been received by post, the Customs took action on the invoices and raised ques'tions about the books.

“They suggested the books might not be suitable for us to have,” a university library official said.

The vice-chancellor (Mr K. J. Maidment) said the books were for purely academic purposes and could not be available to persons who were “merely curious.” The books are “The Theory of Psycho-Sexual Conflict” and “Virgin Wives: A Study of Unconsummated Marriages.” Both are described as standard text-books from reputable publishers. The university has been permitted to retain them.

A senior Customs official in Auckland said that he knew nothing of the incident. It had not been reported to him. It was, however, customary for Customs officers to examine titles in invoices and to question them if necessary. It was impossible to leave such matters entirely to the Indecent Publications Tribunal, “We are the first line of defence, and we have no option but to stop a book deemed indecent Those concerned can then take the matter to the tribunal if they wish,” he said.