IMPORTED BOOKS AND MAGAZINES

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 278, 20 August 1938, Page 12

IMPORTED BOOKS AND MAGAZINES

“Political Thought Free Of Censorship”

MINISTER’S ATTITUDE TO PULP PRODUCTIONS

Efforts he had been making to discourage the importation of magazines likely to have a harmful effect on youthful minds were referred to by the Minister of Customs, lion. W. Nash, during the discussion on the Estimates in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr. Nash said the Government was now following the British policy of 'allowing the greatest possible liberty in the importation of literature so long as it was neither obscene nor advocated violence. The question arose when the Rt. Mon. G. W. Forbes (Opposition, Hurunui) asked what was the attitude of the Customs Department, which was the controlling authority, toward the importation of books and magazines generally. “The people have the right, as they should, to read what books they like,” the Minister said. “There is no censorship of political thought.” Mr. Forbes: Then anyone can bring in any class of literature they like? Mr. Nash: Oh, no. They may not bring in anything that is nasty in the way of being obscene or advocates violence, but as far as political creeds are concerned there is no censorship. Mr. Forbes: What abuot Communism? Does it not advocate violence? “We believe it is far better to bring these things out in the open than to shut them up,” the Minister said. “We have the British procedure here now, and it allows of the maximum amount of liberty so long as people do not advocate violence.” “Pulp” Magazines. Mr. S. G. Smith (Opposition. New Plymouth) said there was strong resentment throughout the country about the importation of what were known as “pulp” magazines. He asked whether there was any restriction on that class of thing. “I think the best procedure to adopt in dealing with nasty publications is to refrain from giving them publicity,” Mr. Nash said. “During the past three months I have done a good deal of work -with the object of inducing booksellers and importers not to bring these magazines into the country, as I believed that such a course would be more effective than driving them underground. If these magazines still keep coming into the country, however —and they tend to disintegrate young minds and bodies—the Government will have to consider taking some other action.” Mr. Smith: What about magazines printed in New Zealand? Mr. Nash: The police can take action in that case.