DEPARTMENT DEFENDED
Action On The Group’ (From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, April 29. Criticism of the Cus* toms Department made last year on its action over the book “The Group,” by Mary McCarthy, was referred to by the Minister of Jus* tice (Mr Hanan) during his address at Wairakei tonight to members of the Association of New Zealand Booksellers. “It was said the department had taken it upon itself to usurp, or at least duplicate, the functions of the tribunal,” Mr Hanan said.
“There was a decision in one Australian State that ‘The Group’ was indecent. “Because of that, the Customs Department thought they should see the book to decide whether it ought to be before the tribunal. They therefore asked that a copy be forwarded to Wellington for perusal. “I am sure you will agree that this was not unreasonable. It shows the ease with which people can get hold of the wrong end of the stick, and base their criticisms on a completely mistaken idea of the facts. “The criticism of the Customs Department in this instance was most unfair,” he said.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30738, 30 April 1965, Page 3
Word Count
184DEPARTMENT DEFENDED Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30738, 30 April 1965, Page 3
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