CENSORSHIP OF BOOKS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 119, 21 May 1914, Page 8

CENSORSHIP OF BOOKS

CATHOLIC SOCIETY'S POLICY HELP FROM THE POST OFFICE. An active campaign has been undertaken by the Catholic Federation of New Zealand against the circulation of literature which tends to undermine good morals or which assails religious faith. An official of the federation, in an explanation of its activities in connection with the censorship of books (says tho New Zealand Herald), stated that recently the Dominion executive initiated a policy of opposition towards literature by which attacks were made upon the Catholic religion. The co-operation cf all the branches was secured through the diocesan councils, the plan adopted being that of representation by federation officials to booksellers in whose shops the objectionable literature was stocked. The proposal that such books should be withdrawn from general sale would be supported by the membership of the federation, the existing organisation providing a simple channel for the information of members regarding the advisability of withdrawing their custom from bobksellers who Were not sympathe* tic with the. federation's aims. "The membership of the federation is confined to lajjmen," said the official, "and it neither receives nor solicits the support of the pulpit. During the past few weeks, the attention bf the whole federation has, been given to the sale of a novel published last year by a leading English author, which then attracted much hostile criticism owing to its treatment of Catholic doctrines. "A few days ago advice was received from the Postmaster-General that he had decided the post office should no longer be made- the means for distributing an American journal concerning which representations were made to him by tho federation. Copies of this publication came into the possession of federation officers some time ago, and they learned that large numbers of the journal were being 'regularly sent into the Dominion and distributed by post to persons without consideration of their creeds. It not only contained attacks upon the Catholic Church, but was disgustingly immoral in tone. A similar publication, regarded by the federation as obscene and blasphemous, is still coming into the country and being circulated promiscuously through the mails. It is now the subject of correspondence with the Postmaster-General." .It was explained that neither of these periodical publications was ; handled by booksellers, but Copies were posted to people without any charge being made | lor them. The official who gave this information explained that the federation invited the co-operation of any other organisation which was striving for the suppression of impure literature. He added that moving pictures were also closely watched by the federation, and as a result of its successive protests an objectionable film which was shown in one of the > country towns, had been withdrawn and was not again displayed either in New Zealand or Australia.