BANNED BOOKS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 96, 20 October 1934, Page 9

BANNED BOOKS

AUSTRALIAN CENSORSHIP

(From "The Post's" Representative.)

SYDNEY, October 11.

In recent months there has been a great increase in Australia in the number of books the circulation of which is banned by the authorities. It has never been made clear who is entrusted with this book censorship, but as any action in this direction is taken by the Customs authorities they have earned all the abuse that has been offering. Very likely the blame is placed on the wrong shoulders, but Australians would very much liko to be introduced to the officials who have the morals and even tho thought of the Commonwealth in their keeping.

The restrictions on literature from overseas have definitely increased since 'the present Government came into power, and in some quarters this is regarded as an attack on the cultural atmosphere in Australia. Booksellers say that in some respects the restrictions may be likened to those imposed in Italy and Germany, although they are not nearly so severe. Many books with a "left-wing!' tendency hayo been banned, and it is held that in this regard the Government is deviating from the ideal of democracy. How can the Government expect the people to reject Communist philosophy, it is asked, without giving them au opportunity of making reasonable examination of the subject, and discovering its defects? It is complained that there are a number of books freely circulating in England which are not permitted to enter Australia.

Owing to the actions of the authorities from time to time the book trade is more or less disorganised. Frequently books are not banned until some time after they have ,entered Australia. One book sold freely in Australia for cix months before the Customs authorities raided the various book shops and seized every copy that could be found. As a result of the uncertainty now existing many booksellers order but half a dozen copies of most books, for if a particular book should come under the official ban no compensation is allowed. Every noiv and then there is bonfire of the banned books.

Booksellers are now considering plans to organise public opinion in the hope that the Government ■will modify its policy.