PROFESSOR McKENZIE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 18, 5 May 1909, Page 43

PROFESSOR McKENZIE.

Considers the Dangers in Connection with the Dissemination of Immoral Literature Very Serious Professor McKenzie, Victoria College, Writes as follows: — I am not in a position to express an opinion “as to how far literature of an immoral tendency is being foisted upon the public, of New Zealand at the present •time.” I am satisfied, however, that literature of very inferior quality is widely circulated and widely read throughout ithe Dominion, as also that the • risks incidental to the dissemination and perusal of immoral literature were rarely, if ever, so grave. As for the question of ridding the ■Dominion of immoral literature, I should imagine that no serious obstacles oiler. The danger in .connection with the dissemination of such literature is very serious. The fact that all our young people can read, that the general level lof intellectual attainment of the youth of the Dominion is not very high, and that but very indifferent provision is made by parents for the moral training of -the young, accentuates the danger. In the circumstances, the responsibility of those who are primarily concerned with the problems of ethics and religion is very great. Every care should be taken that immoral literature does not

entertaining, and which neither man nor woman need be ashamed to leave on their tables. In some free libraries in the United States, borrowers are allowed to take out two books, on the condition that only one shall bo fiction. This is done to secure the circulation of better books, and it has much to recommend it. In Great Britain, the circulation of fiction is restricted and tha reading of more solid books promoted, by limiting the purchase of new novels to two or three copies, to meet the demands of thousands *of borrowers. Necessarily the ardent lover of fiction must supply himself elsewhere. I believe that, our public libraries are educational agents of the highest value; and that in their wise management, rather than in attempts at coercion and suppression, except in flagrant cases, lies the best remedy for the evil to which you have so prominently directed attention.

find its way into the hands of our young people more particularly. Our legislation has succeeded (I think) in suppressing quack medicine manufacturers and vendors, and it should be equal to the task of suppressing (so far as the Dominion is concerned) the publishers and vendors of immoral literature. ■Every respectable publisher is prepared to guarantee the “morality” of his publications. Every bookseller should receive from every publisher, or his agent, a written assurance that every publication received from, or through, him is “morally” unexceptionable. A bookseller could be relieved of the obligation of paying any publisher or author for any immoral work or works foisted on the public. The State should have power to confiscate all such literature found in possession of any publisher or bookseller, and to fine one or other, or both, for their part in foisting such literature on the public. Some modest reward should be offered to anyone directing the attention of the Government (or preferably a special officer, in charge of a Department of Public .Morals) to grossly immoral literature. Considering that our age is in very large measure a sophistical one, that so far as the “general, gender” is concerned very'little is made to go a long way educationally, the risk to public morals is very serious, especially when otir ethical sanctions are in a state of transition. Our young people know enough to

convince them that the old moral sanctions are irrational; they do not know enough to convince them of the necessity of coming by rational and scientific sanctions to replace the discredited ones. Educated men and women all over the world do realise the necessity of pro-

viding a stable and secure ethical sy»> tern. What is wanted is the “institutional” machinery for “driving al prao■tice” with the new and scientific ethic, and a clergy to proclaim in no uncertain sound the value and necessity of jUus new and scientific ethic.