BOOKS A COMPLAINT

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 28, 2 August 1923, Page 4

BOOKS A COMPLAINT

AND AN ANSWER.

- A correspondent, ."Teacher," recently wrote to "The Post" suggesting that ■a- 'conference of experts 'of the Education Department, and of the four University Colleges be called to advise the Minister of Education as to the best and cheapest method of securing a regular supply of academic and standard books. "Surely the Department of Education and the University Colleges could co-op-erate in establishing, at least in the larger cities, book-depots where up-to-date works in. literature, science, and philosophy could be obtained," states the correspondent. It was also stated that "The latest contributions to literature, philosophy, and science are apparently not heard of by. most New Zealand booksellers for a .year of-.two after publication—and reach us only when 'specially ordered.' In sonic of our local bookshops there seems to be a strict censorship on certain classes of advanced literature."

The complaints formed tho subject of inquiry, and the first question, asked was: "How could these sp-called experts ■undertake what is primarily a commercial proposition? It would be impracticable for the Education Department and the Colleges to undertake to stock books, irrespective of the chances of such books being disposed of within a reasonable time." With respect to the statement that "the latest contributions of literature, philosophy, and science' not. being obtainable 'unless specially ordered,, the fact was that one Wellington firm alone supplied tho General Assembly" with 75 per cent, of its requirements from stock, the Wellington Public library with 99 per cent, from stock; and, further, it has the advantage of consultation with the "professors of Victoria College on -certain books that they think it desirable to obtain. With respect to the censorship referred to by the correspondent, it was explained that it was necessary to have more information as to what is meant by "advanced" literature. Quotation of specific instances would help in the reply to this question. .