THIS BANNED BOOK.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18355, 28 August 1929, Page 10

THIS BANNED BOOK.

To the Editor of the ‘'Timaru. Herald.” Sir—“ All Quiet on the Western Front” gives food for reflection —vividly the scenes of the last world’s holocaust are made clear and distinct; in words undisguised by camouflage—showing clearly the utterly horrible programme of events which come Natural in surroundings where bloodshed and legalised murders are the order of the day, centred on the German battle front, facts, written of as they existed, and were general in allied and enemy centres. I have read this wonder book of terrible facts, and I can see no reason why it should be banned; why it should not be read by every one, at any rate by those who have passed the standards of education. This seemingly affected attitude of prudishness by the Committee should be allowed on a bare majority against the Library Committee’s suggestion that it should be given out to adults only, is not very enlightening. “All Quiet on the Western Front” has a mission to perform, and was written with the object of expressing every point that could bear upon the minds of those who wanted facts, which would speak for themselves. Truths which are not in keeping with the blare of trumpets and the smart military appearance of marching troops, which do so much to thrill and create such a feeling of admiration, especially amongst the fair sex, many of whom can read every line and word of this book without any mock modesty. The charitable assumption that the Committee were honestly viewing the situation from the angle of human weakness, is not fair to the majority, who are level headed enough to read the i book for its intrinsic value. People I will read the book no matter what the opinion of the majority is. Libraries in the biggest centres of New Zealand j have the book on their shelves for the ! public to read, and it is sold in every bookseller’s shop in New Zealand. After all, we find that the Bible—Book of books—uses stronger words of expression than any I have noticed in this “banned book,” but I do not think for one moment that the Bible with all its great commendable truths will stop the menace of war. Passchendaele, and a grave on the Western Front, are mine for remembrance. Education and enlightenment can come only by inculcating into the minds of the young and I rising generation their abhorrence of | war as a means of settlement, and to j that end the book entitled “All Quiet on the Western Front” is worthy of consideration by the Timaru Borough Council.—l am, etc., F. WADDELL. Timaru, August 27.