BANNED BOOKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17754, 13 April 1921, Page 3

BANNED BOOKS.

Sir, —The letter by "Imperialist," mentioning that he had been canvassed by a book agent at his house and offered for purchase the prohibited books—" Red Europe," and the " Communist Programme of World Revolution " —and other apparently seditious and revolutionary works k not a singular incident. The® same experience happened to me. Some two weeks ago an elderly individual called at my residence and showed me a large variety of Socialist books, including " Red - Europe," and the " Communist Programme of World Revolution," and other literature bearing the titles and imprint of the U.S.A. I.W.W. and Anarchist J organisations. I took the trouble to make a selection of about a dozen samples, and, after perusing them, I should say that •1 tbey are all highly seditious and revo'ur. tionary, and deserve consigning to the flames, for their pernicious advocacy of ; force, violence, and sabotage, and appeals - to class hatred and bitterness. The afrent had two large grips, full of this class of inflammable printed matter. He informed me that there was no difficulty in getting it into the country, and that it wa§ having a ready and large circulation. I agree with " Imperialist that more vigilance should be shown by the authorities in presenting the importation of revolutionary literature, which is eertainlv coming into New Zealand in far too large quantities. The numerous re- ' cent prosecutions alone aTe an "evidence of the entry, and owing to the world-wide and prevalent unrest, this class of literature will not conduce to the peace, good order, and welfare of society as a whole. Britisher akd Constitution* amst-