A Popular Vision: The Arts and the Left in New Zealand 1930-1950

Chapter Four: The Cooperative Book Movement

Chapter Four: The Cooperative Book Movement

1 Wellington Co-operative Book Society Ltd. 'A Readers* Bookshop', 1939. H. O. Roth. Private collection
2 Tomorrow, 21 July 1937 (v.3, n.19), p.593
3 J. F. Ewen, quoted in '25 Years Old. Progressive Book Society Ltd.', leaflet, [1961]. Author's collection. Several other members of the Progressive Book Society also recall the name 'Basham's Bomb Shop' having been coined by Robin Hyde. On the London 'Bomb Shop' see S. Hodges, Gollancz. The Story of a Publishing House 1928-1978. London: Victor Gollancz Ltd, 1978, p.134
4 R. Hyde, 'Jack Basham's Bookshop. Land of the Free—Since When?', New Zealand Observer, 11 June 1936, p.11
5 Letterhead on letter from D. Basham to D. Lyon, 27 July 1936. C1 36/959: box 152. National Archives
6 Hyde, 'Jack Basham's Bookshop'
7 Progressive Books Ltd. Prospectus, 1937. Robert Lowry Papers. Ms Papers A-194: box 1, folder 4. University of Auckland Library
8 Ibid.
9 Ibid.
10 'BigNewsfor Progressive Books', InPrint, 10 Feb. 1943, p.2
11 H. W. Rhodes. Interview with author, 4 June 1985
12 Communist Party of New Zealand (Christchurch branch). LPC minutes, 24 Apr. 1937; ms notes on bookshop, [nd]; circular, [nd] .Jack Locke Deposit: item 7. University of Canterbury Library
13 CPNZ (Christchurch branch). Executive minutes, 16 Mar. 1937; ms notes on bookshop, [nd]. Locke Deposit: 12, 7
14 'Organisational proposals', [1938?]. Locke Deposit: 12
15 N.M.Taylor, The New Zealand People at War: The Home Front. Wellington: Historical Publications Branch, Department of Internal Affairs/Government Printer, 1986, pp.218-19
16 Christchurch Co-operative Book Society Ltd. Minutes of first general meeting, 31 Oct. 1938. Christchurch Co-operative Book Society. Minute books, 1938-1970. Ace 90-259. Alexander Turnbull Library; Workers' Weekly, 25 Nov. 1938, p.4
17 Clarte Book Room. Booklists, [1920s-1930s]. Roth collection; correspondence. Mark Silverstone Papers. Ms Papers 1016: box 1. Hocken Library; K. Sinclair, Walter Nash. Auckland: Auckland University Press/Oxford University Press, 1976, p.62
18 B.A. Fortune. Interview with author, 7 Sept. 1985
19 Fortune. Letter to author, 10 Oct. 1985
20 Ibid.
21 Wellington Co-operative Book Society Ltd. Minutes of inaugural meeting, 28 Nov. 1938. Wellington Co-operative Book Society Ltd. Papers, 1938-1970. Ms Papers 1122: box 5/1. Alexander Turnbull Library
22 Workers' Weekly, 16 Nov. 1935, p.4,7 May 1937, p.-4
23 Otago Daily Times, 13 Mar. 1940, p.6; P. and W. Powell. Interview with author, 22 Oct. 1989
24 Co-operative Book News, Nov.-Dec. 1942 (v.1, n.11), p.1
25 Revising Barrister to Registrar of Industrial and Provident Societies, 26 Mar. 1945; W. L. Robertson to Mrs Harris, 27 Feb. 1945. Modern Books, Dunedin. Papers, 1944-55. Ms Papers 711. Hocken Library; Co-op Books (Dunedin ed.), Apr. 1945 (v.2, n.4), p.[1]
26 Dunedin Co-operative Book Society Ltd. Application for incorporation, 28 Aug. 1944. Dunedin Modern Books Papers
27 New Zealand Co-operative Book Society, Ltd. 'Meeting Books on New Terms', 1938. Roth collection
28 'Editorial Purposes', CB, Nov. 1943 (v.1, n.1), p.[1]
29 WA. Poole, Co-operative Retailing in New Zealand [Wellington]: NZ Institute of Economic Research, 1969; 'Consumer Cooperatives in Auckland', Borer, June 1937 (v.1, n.6), p.6; 'Like a Bush-fire', Union t Record, 1 Apr. 1947 (v.7, n.9), p.8,1 May 1947 (v.7, n.10), p.6
30 Rhodes. Letter to author, Oct. 1985
31 W. L. Robertson, Co-operative Onekaka. A Challenge to the Labour Movement. [1941]; Final Statement. Wellington: the author, 1950. See also C. Moore, 'Paradise Ignored', Evening Post, 9 Feb. 1991, pp.27-8
32 'Co-op Books and the Co-operative Movement', CB, Jan. 1944 (v.1, n.3), p.3
33 W. J. Scott, 'Books and Readers', Tomorrow, 26 Apr. 1939 (v.5, n.13), pp.405-6
34 A. Jackson-Thomas, quoted in F. Folster, 'Progressive Books', Craccum, 15 Mar. 1976, p.7
35 O. N. Gillespie, 'NZ Authors', Tomorrow, 30 Oct. 1953 (v.2, n.1), p.20
36 J. W. Winchester. Conversation with author, 12 Jan. 1987
37 R.E. Reynolds. Interview with author, 20 Jan. 1987
38 'Meeting Books on New Terms'
39 Jackson-Thomas, 'The Wellington Cooperative Book Society', Tomorrow, 19 July 1939 (v.5, n.19), p.588
40 'A Readers' Bookshop'
41 Rules of the Progressive Book Society Ltd, [1937]. Roth collection
42 Jackson-Thomas. Interview with author, 8 Sept. 1985; E. Coyne. Interview with author, 10 Sept. 1985
43 CBN, June 1942 (v.1, n.6), p.1
44 Scott, 'Books and Readers'; Robertson, 'Co-operation and the Labour Movement', CBN, Feb. 1942 (v.1, n.3), p.8
45 Chairman's report, Oct. 1941. CCBS minutes
46 Rhodes interview
47 'An Objection to the Bookshop', CBN, Feb. 1942 (v.1, n.3), p.3
48 Chairman's report, Oct. 1941-Oct. 1942. CCBS minutes
49 Minutes of first general meeting, 31 Oct. 1938
50 Rhodes correspondence
51 H. E. Fenton, 'Why Not Now?', CBN, Oct. 1942 (v.1, n.10o), p.1
52 Fenton, 'Co-operation—for what?', CBN, June 1942 (v.1, n.6), p.2
53 Robertson, 'What is the Purpose of a Cooperative Book Society?', CBN, Apr. 1942 (v.1, n.4), p.4; S. Devereux, 'The Work of Our Society', ibid., p.6
54 Rhodes interview
55 CBN, Jan. 1943 (v.1, n.2), p.1
56 In the absence of complete membership records, this occupational analysis is based on lists of new members printed in the society's minutes, 1938-49. Of the 240 names listed, the occupations of 116 have been determined. The categories used in this analysis are derived from the Elley and Irving socio-economic index ( New Zealand Journal of Educational Studies, 7, Nov. 1972, pp.153-67), as used by D. Pearson in Johnsonville. Continuity and Change in a New Zealand Township. Sydney: Allen and Unwin, 1980. The comparative figure of 46%, being the percentage of the total male working population in manual occupations at 1936, is taken from D. Pearson and D. Thorns, Eclipse of Equality. Social Stratification in New Zealand Sydney: Allen and Unwin, 1983, p.46
57 Rhodes correspondence
58 International Bookshop. Booklist, 18 Jan. 1937. Roth collection
59 'Shop Notes', CBN, Apr. 1942 (v.1, n.4), p.5
60 CCBS minutes, 24 Feb. 1949
61 Fenton had resigned from the management of the Co-op Bookshop at the end of 1942 to become manager of the Progressive Publishing Society in Wellington. Co-op Books was run by A.S. (Nan) Dann (formerly shop assistant), with Eva Munz as assistant, until Walter's appointment in 1944.
62 C. V. Walter. Interview with author, 1 Feb. 1987
63 Rhodes correspondence
64 CBN Apr. 1942 (v.1, n.4), p.5, Oct. 1942 (v.1, n.10), p.1
65 Ibid, May 1942 (v.1, n.5), pp.5, 8
66 Ibid.
67 Associated Booksellers of New Zealand. Minutes of annual conference, 27 Jan. 1943. Associated Booksellers of New Zealand. Minute book, 1939-59. Ms y 1076. Alexander Turnbull Library
68 CBN, May 1942 (v.1, n.5), p.1; chairman's report, Oct. 1941
69 'Big News for Progressive Books'
70 Walter interview
71 Walter interview; CCBS minutes, 11 Dec. 1944
72 CCBS minutes, 21 May 1946
73 Letterhead on letter from D. Basham to J. Ferguson, 21 Aug. 1941. WCBS Papers: 3; CBN Jan. 1942 (v.1, n.2), p.3
74 Progressive Books Ltd. Prospectus, 1937
75 Progressive Book Society Ltd. Open letter, 30 Sept. 1939. Roth collection
76 Union Record 15 Apr. 1940 (v.1, n.10), p.7, 20 Dec. 1944 (v.5, n.6), p.3
77 Share register, 1937-1980. Progressive Book Society Ltd. Records. L. Parker. Private collection. The share register records the names of 875 shareholders; of these, the occupations of 517 are known. See above, note 56, for details of the method of analysis used.
78 E. Coyne, interviewed for 'And Baby Makes Three'. New Zealand Family Planning Association for Radio New Zealand. E. Coyne. Private collection
79 G. Jackson. Interview with author, 25 Nov. 1986
80 S. Barton, 'Auckland Progressive Bookshop. Seven Progressive Years', CB, Feb. 1944 (v.1, n.4), p.[6]
81 Ewen. Letter to author, 12 Dec. 1986
82 Cashbook, 1942-9. PBS Records
83 Ewen correspondence
84 Ibid.
85 Bi-annual report and financial statement for the half-year ended Sept. 30th, 1946. Johnny Mitchell Papers
86 Ewen correspondence
87 Appendices to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1939, E7, p.2, 1946, E7, p.1
88 Ewen correspondence
89 B. Read. Conversation with author, 1 Dec. 1986
90 Ewen. Interview with author, 26 Nov. 1986
91 'Meeting Books on New Terms'
92 New Zealand Co-operative Book Society Ltd. Prospectus, [1938]. Roth collection; 'A Readers' Bookshop'
93 E. J. Dyer, obituary, quoted in Rhodes, New Zealand and the Soviet Union. An Historical Account of the NZ-USSR Society. Auckland: New Zealand-USSR Society, 1979, p.70
94 R. Parsons to R. F. Griffin, 8 June 1942. WCBS Papers: 4
95 'Meeting Books on New Terms'
96 WCBSmanagementcommitteeminutes, 12, 18 July 1939. WCBS Papers: 5/1
97 Fortune correspondence; interview
98 Parsons. Interview with J. Colosimo, 1980
99 Selection committee report. WCBS Papers: 5; library committee report. WCBS minutes, 20 Jan. 1941
100 WCBS Papers: 21
101 WCBS minutesof first AGM, 31 Oct. 1939
102 W. P. McAra to secretary, WCBS, 13 Dec. 1943. WCBS Papers: 5
103 WCBS annual report, 1945. WCBS Papers: 13
104 As with the CCBS, the membership records of the WCBS are incomplete. A membership list from the early 1940s, and some lists of new members from the late 1940s, were used for this analysis. Of the 369 shareholders in the sample, the occupations of 205 were identified.
105 L. Plumridge, The Necessary but not Sufficient Condition: Christchurch Labour and Working-Class Culture', New Zealand]ournal of History, Oct. 1985 (v.19, n.2), pp.130-50
106 R. Shuker, Educating the Workers? A History of the Workers'Education Association in New Zealand. Palmerston North: Dunmore Press, 1984, pp.104-5, 133
107 See J.C. Beaglehole, Victoria University College. An Essay Towards a History. Wellington: New Zealand University Press, 1949, pp.207-30; K. Sinclair, A History of the University of Auckland, 1883-1983. Auckland: Auckland University Press/Oxford University Press, 1983, p.150
108 Beaglehole, 'From Bookshop Assistant to O. M. Eminent ex-Bookseller talks to N.Z. Jubilee Conference', Bookseller, 3418, 26 June 1971, pp.2594-7; Sinclair, A History of the University of Auckland, pp.153-7; J. Milton, Areopagitica. Christchurch: Caxton Press, 1941
109 P. Macaskill (ed.), Ako Pai. A Special Issue to Celebrate the Centenary of Wellington Teachers College 1880-1980. Wellington: Price Milburn for the Centennial Committee, Wellington Teachers College, 1980, p.58
110 Scott, 'Books and Readers', pp.405-6; 'A Readers' Bookshop'
111 Ibid.
112 WCBS annual report, 1945
113 WCBS annual report, 1947. WCBS Papers: 21
114 The Leaning Tower of Babel', [C1947], Roth collection
115 New Zealand Co-operative BookSociety Ltd. Prospectus, [1938]
116 WCBS minutes of AGM, 5 Dec. 1950; annual report, 1948-9. WCBS Papers: 25
117 P. Macaskill, chairman, WCBS to secretary, Modern Books, Dunedin, June 1946. WCBS Papers: 17
118 W. A. Cowell and A. H. Young to secretary, WCBS, 4 Mar. 1946. WCBS Papers: 17
119 WCBS minutes, 6 Aug. 1952
120 Rules of the Dunedin Co-operative Book Society Ltd (draft). Dunedin Modern Books Papers
121 H. O. Roth, 'John Harris: Biography and Bibliography', 1970. Misc. ms 1970. Hocken Library. On Harris see also C. W. Collins, 'John Harris—Valedictory', New Zealand Libraries, Dec. 1948 (v.11, n.11), pp.269-72
122 DCBS annual report, 1949. Dunedin Modern Books Papers
123 DCBS annual report, 1948. Dunedin Modern Books Papers
124 Reynolds interview
125 C. V. Walter to J. W. Winchester, 5 Mar. 1954. WCBS Papers: 29
126 WCBS annual report, 1948. WCBS Papers: 24
127 'Meeting Books on New Terms'
128 Quoted in'25 Years Old. Progressive Book Society Ltd/
129 G. H. Brown, Colin McCahon: Artist. Wellington: A.H. and A. W. Reed, 1984, pp.12-13
130 R. Haese, Rebels and Precursors. The Revolutionary Years of Australian Art. Ringwood, Victoria: Allen Lane, 1985, pp.16, 25; J. Sendy, Melbourne's Radical Bookshops. History, People, Appreciation. Melbourne: International Bookshop Pty Ltd, 1983, ch.8
131 'Report on Library and Second Hand Departments (Feb-April)', [1941]. WCBS Papers: 3
132 Coyne interview
133 Hyde, 'Jack Basham's Bookshop'
134 P. Christoffel, Censored. A Short History of Censorship in New Zealand. Monograph Series, 12. Research Unit, Department of Internal Affairs. Wellington: Department of Internal Affairs, 1989, pp.20-1; R. Openshaw and R. Shuker, 'Silent Movies and Comics', in M. McKinnon (ed.), The American Connection. Wellington: Allen and Unwin/Port Nicholson Press, 1988, pp.58-60; A. C. Burns, 'Some Aspects of Censorship: a survey of censorship law and practice in New Zealand from 1841-1963, mainly concerning the control of indecent publications'. MA thesis, Victoria University of Wellington, 1968
135 Hyde, 'Jack Basham's Bookshop'
136 List of prohibited literature, appended to 'Question of the prohibition of the importation of certain literature into NZ\ Memorandum from Comptroller of Customs to Minister of Customs, 27 Jan. 1936. C1 36/959: box 152. NA
137 W. Nash, Minister of Customs to Minister in charge of Police Department, 25 May 1936. Ibid.
138 Coyne, 'And Baby Makes Three'
139 Ewen correspondence
140 CCBS chairman's report, Oct. 1941; CB, Feb. 1944 (v.1, n.4), p.[5]
141 Comptroller of Customs to Prime Minister, 8 May 1940, quoted in Taylor, The Home Front, p.997
142 D. Basham to J. Ferguson, 21 Aug. 1941. WCBS Papers: 3
143 Taylor, The Home Front, p.1001
144 Quoted in Union Record, 15 Jan. 1941 (v.1, n.19), p.3
145 Secretary, WCBS to Minister of Customs, 18 Feb. 1941. WCBS Papers: 3
146 ABNZ minutes, 25 Jan. 1939
147 Ibid., 30 Oct. 1939, 6 Mar. 1940, 27 Jan. 1943
148 'Aspects of Censorship', Tomorrow, 1 Feb. 1939 (v.5, n.7), p.213
149 D. B. Paul, The Book-Buying Public', CB, July 1944 (v.1, n.9), p.1
150 'The Importation of Books', New Zealand Listener, 1 July 1949 (v.21, n.523), p.7
151 Ibid.
152 Paul, 'The Book-Buying Public'
153 Rhodes interview
154 R.M. Burdon, The New Dominion. A Socialand Political History ofNew Zealand, 1918-39. Wellington: A.H. and A. W. Reed, 1965, pp.304-5; Shuker, Educating the Workers?
155 AJHR, 1940, E7, p.2, 1950, E7, p.3
156 Parsons interview
157 CCBS chairman's report, Oct. 1942
158 Co-op Books, Nov. 1943 (v.1, n.1), p.1
159 WCBS. Draft letter to major creditors, [nd]. WCBS Papers: 34
160 Manager's report to board, 1 June 1966; notice of AGM, 1980. PBS Records
161 Progressive Book Society Ltd. Leaflet, 195?. PBS Records
162 Annual report, 1968. PBS Records
163 'The Right to Dissent', New Zealand Herald, 8 July 1980, p.6
164 Appeal to members, [1968?]. WCBS Papers: 34
165 Ibid.