IN DEFENCE OF FICTION

Grey River Argus, 7 February 1906, Page 4

IN DEFENCE OF FICTION

A REPLY TO THE BOARD OF

GOVERNORS

At the opening of tbe new Harcwo^d road Hall on the Ist inst, says the Christchurch Press, Miss Freeman; principal of Girton College, referring to the Public Library in connection with the hall, said what a great thing it was to have the works of tbe great authors of the past and also of the present time. '"'lf you want the best of society, there it is. And when you are tired ot it and put it aside it never scolds you. Think of that, you married people," she added humorously. Miss Freeman went on to i - efer to the complaint made at tbe last meet ing of the Board of Governors of Canterbury College of the vast preference shown for fiction by subscribers of the public library. Even the clergy had been taking out fiction, it was said. Well, she was very much delighted that they did, because it proved their humanity. -She wanted to know what harm there was in fiction or in a good love story Take Crockett's "Lilac Sun-bonnet" —it would do any man or woman good to read such a book. As to Mahan's "Influence of Sea-Power,' which one member of the Board bad recommended well, she had not read it, and she did not feel any the worse. The great majority of people here had to work hard for a living, and when tbe hoxir of relaxation came, the "Influence of Sea Power was a bit tough. One member of the Board said that these love stories dealt with a man and a maid. Who else would he have them deal witb? She thought it was a good and a wise thing for people to be able to unbend a^ little and read fiction.