CORRESPONDENCE
A HANDICAP FOR REAPERS
(To the Editor.)
Sir,—lt may not be generally known that import licence restrictions cut down the importation; of * books into New Zaeland by half. Allowing for price increases, the restriction is riot less than 60 per cent. One effect is that the importation of cheap and nasty magazines and books is encouraged, quantity rather than quality.
No one wishes to embarrass the authorities in their attempt to keep up the value of the New Zealand pound, but many people will think that almost anything should be banned or restricted rather than wholesome read, ing, especially in these dark and troubled days. Even under . normal conditions in New Zealand the selection of books on sale is not very wide. Freedom of the written word is not less necessary than freedom of speech., It looked at one time as if the hackneyed phrase, "The price •of liberty is eternal vigilance,"' could be given a rest, but who knows now what a day may bring forth?—l am, etc.,
JAMES ELLIOTT,
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 96, 23 April 1940, Page 8
Word Count
172CORRESPONDENCE Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 96, 23 April 1940, Page 8
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