IGNORANCE OF DOMINION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 304, 21 November 1934, Page 7

IGNORANCE OF DOMINION.

BY CANADIAN LIBRARIAN. WELLINGTON, Nov. 21. “She herself not only knew nothing whatever of New Zealand evolution, Bcarcely even that Cook had visited there, but regarded Australia and New Zealand as completely synonymous terms, using one or the other purely for variation.” This is an extract from a letter received by the Alexander Turnbull librarian, Mr Johannes C. Andersen, from his assistant, Mr C. R. H. Taylor, who is at present abroad studying library methods on a Carnegie Corporation scholarship. Mr TayLor related visiting the Provincial Library at Victoria, British Columbia, which he found specially attractive with a wealth of Cook literal ture. He was somewhat annoyed, however, when the woman in charge of the historical collection assumed that he knew every detail of North-West _ history, where he knew only the outlines, while she herself used Australia and New Zealand as synonymous terms. “I suppose I should not hold her up as an example,” writes Mr Taylor, “for I found the same ignorance quite übiquitous among library people. Yet I did expect that in British territory better ideas would exist. The libraries, too, for the most part, are poorly supplied with New Zealand literature. To some I have given lists of representative books that would give them adequate reference in the field of New Zealand.

“And here is a remarkable coincidence,” Mr Taylor added in reference to meeting Mr Edward Newton at Philadelphia. _ “On learning that we came from New Zealand, he said, ‘Well, I’ve only known one other person from New Zealand—a Lady LeigliWcod.’ We both gasped, and I explained the connection with Turnbull. He has given me an introduction to Sir James Leighton.” Lady Leigh-Wood was a sister of Alexander Turnbull. Mr Andersen recalled yesterday that she visited New Zealand some years ago, and after inspecting the Turnbull Library, said: “I think Alex did the right thing in leaving this to New Zealand.” A son of Sir James Leigh-Wood also had visited New Zealand this year.