BANNED BOOKS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18572, 26 November 1920, Page 8

BANNED BOOKS.

POLICE TAKE ACTION. (Searches for literature banned under tho War Regulations Act have been conducted by tho Christchurch police within the past low days. As a result of inquiries made among booksellers' and different associations, copies of the book, “Red Europe,” have been impounded, and certain information fias been sent to Wellington for consideration by tho Department of Justice. The first step was taken by the authorities when they hoard that “ Red Europe ” had been dffered for sale, privately, to a member of tho Workers’ Educational Association. The association is avowedly non-political, and there was never any suspicion that its library contained copies of any banned publications. A search of luggage belonging to a foreigner, was tho next development. Hero the police, it is alleged, found several copies of “ Red Europe,” as well ns other documents which were eventually taken to headquarters. Tho foreigner was closely questioned, and from his replies it became clear that the hooks hod come through the post from Australia. At least two of tnern wore imported, it is said, by a booksoiling firm to oblige a client.. “ Rod Europe ” wav written by Mr Frank Anstey, of New South Wales, after a visit to England and France, lb purports to deal with the treatment received by Russia at the hands of the Allies, nnd to throw now light on certain fighting that occurred in the, Riga region. Under a recent “Gazette” notice, an order was made prohibiting any copies being imported into New Zenln.nd. It therefore comes under the heading of uncustomed articles, posseasion of which it- is claimed, is unlawful.

The importation of banned books, pamphlets nnd newspapers is said to be a growing practice, and one that Is causing Government officials serious concern. “ Once a book is prohibited, people want it.” said n trader yesterday. “They are prepared to ask seamen to buy it for th«m in Australia or Home portß. or take a risk and order by post. Booksellers can bardly keep a proper cheek on their stocks, seeing that between England and America tbero are 15.000 new publications every year. ‘Red Eurono’ is displayed for sn'le all over Australia; and I believe scores of copies are owned privately in Now Zealand.. It ie whispered that mrmv well-known politicians rPnd it during their tour round tho Islands on tho Moke's T nst vofir.”