The Battle of the Books

Was Government Policy Wise?

Traders were disturbed but confident that "things would improve." However by January when it was evident that the additional exchange required to meet the estimated expenditure for 53 was not forthcoming, the battle was on. All Hides rushed in to print The newspapers ran statements from Ministers, booksellers, and publishers agents replies and counter-replies, pleas and accusations The letters to the editor column overflowed with the public's praise and censure of Government policy. Educationalists rationalists and anti-culturists, serious and facetious, aired their views. "How essential are books, anyway?" some asked. Certain ivory' towers were seen to quake and uncertain murmurs of "possible infringement of academic freedom" were heard. But meanwhile the real tug-of-war was on between the Minister of Customs and representatives of the Booksellers' Association and the Association of British Publishers' Representatives; between Government policy and the country's demand for literature, good or bad.

For the second time within a few months the issue of "reading matter" was thrust before the public eye. The comic controversy was barely settled and February was to see the formation of a committee to advice on the censorship of indecent literature. (Prof. Ian Gordon of V.U.C. is a member of this committee). The overcrowding of Wellington's secondary schools due to an increase estimated in December as 400-500 pupils, was being widely discussed. In 1951 and '52 there had been a similar increase and an even greater increase was predicted for 1954 taking into account the rapidly Increasing population. On the basis of these figures booksellers would be ordering educational material for 1954. It was difficult to see how the estimated need could be fulfilled.

After receiving repeated representations from the Booksellers' Association and others, the Government, admitting the possibility of a book shortage, agreed to grant the traders further sums. Applications for additional exchange were made through the Reserve Bank and each rise was considered "on its merits." It was held that in this fashion the value of the allocation would be brought up to the 1950 level. In practice this was not the case and booksellers found that, partly owing to the increase in price of books by 15-25 per cent since 1949, the license granted was actually only 75-78 per cent effective in relation to that of 1950. It averaged at the best only two thirds of the amount spent in 1952 when the allocation of overseas exchange had been 80 per cent of 1950s import value Moreover the additional exchange made available was restricted to the latter half of the year while many firms were having to meet from this year's exchange, overseas bills for goods purchased last year.

At this stage confusing and contradictory reports on the predicted shortage of texts were being received from booksellers. Auckland stated that the January demands for primary and secondary school books were being met as usual and no shortage had occurred. It was then pointed out by a Wellington bookseller that the apparent satisfaction of the demand was due to the late arrival of stock in 1952 which meant augmented supplies for '53. All leading Wellington booksellers expressed deep concern at the situation. Increased demands and reduced supply were creating a serious shortage. As Mr. E. A. Bennett of the Booksellers' Association said:

"The solution to our troubles is to abolish import and exchange control over books so we can bring to the N.Z. people the thoughts and ideas of the whole world. A bookseller must keep a balanced stock. He must therefore have freedom to order and this means freedom from import and exchange control." And as quoted in the "Dominion" speaking of the Government.

"You seem to have gone too far with economy in the commerce of the mind."

The other side of the case was then put forward in "Freedom" in defence of the Minister of Customs" stand. The controversy it insinuated, wan "a humbugging trotting out of a sacred cow called culture and education'." Supporting its Case still further it presented an analysis of import figures for music books and other educational matter for 1950, '51 and the first half of '52 N.Z. was spending about 1,8 million pounds on book Imports per year and of this only the minutest fraction was taken up by textbooks concerning which sellers were at the mercy of the "whims and eccentricities of educationalists who discard particular books." Mr. Bowden's defence had in fact changed the issue to one relating specifically to textbooks ignoring the wider issues involved. The fact that N.Z. imports of educational texts was low was not an argument that they could afford to be lower.

In disclaiming responsibility for any possible shortage in books the Ministry of Customs declared that all responsibility for the distribution of the allocation was in the hands of the booksellers themselves. Now for the majority of bookellers textbooks constitute a very small portion of their trade and the margin of profit is less, added to which is a considerable risk since recommended texts vary from year to year, new editions superseding old ones while large supplies of the latter are still on hand. Books of a less general appeal, travel, literary criticism, biography, poetry, philosophy, etc., have also a greater risk attached. Overhead costs in the book trade as elsewhere would be higher this year and with the limited exchange available and the increased public demand a choice of either quantity or quality, was demanded. Either books of a better kind would be unobtainable or their price would be prohibitive for the student. What should the bookseller do?

Mr. H. C. South stated that his firm would be using 20-25 per cent of the allocation for secondary school texts, but if required to supply universities and libraries their entire allocation would have to be used! When interviewed Mr. Miller of the V.U.C. library told us that he understood the library would receive sufficient exchange from the general grants fund to enable them to indent the usual requirements. He was very sceptical of proposals arising from last congress that the University should import its own materials and so endeavour to case the financial burden to the student by retailing at lower rates. Many years ago a similar scheme had been attempted but with notable lack of success. Aside from obtaining licences and taking risks of overstocking there would be strong opposition from both booksellers and publishers—the latter of whom would probably refuse to sell directly to the University. It was doubtful too, whether the ultimate cost to the student would be very much below that offered by local booksellers. Other libraries seemed to be receiving an adequate allocation, but as each library applied separately to the Reserve Bank it was not yet possible to see the overall position.

When "Salient" interviewed some of Wellington's leading booksellers last week however certain facts were clear. Visiting publisher Mr. Mark Longman had expressed in April dissatisfaction at the situation and arising from further protests the Government had told sellers that their cases would be reconsidered on their individual merits. Up to the present these have met with success—the allocation granted now being up to 100 per cent of 1950. But already a general shortage was evident. Sales of fiction and non-fiction were down due to lack of supply not" decreased demand. Subscriptions to overseas periodicals were even more difficult to obtain. American orders had not been going forward—the American license is even harder to obtain than U.K. exchange. Messrs. Whitcombe and Tombs who are N.Z. wholesalers for certain British publishers have been unable to meet the usual orders of other booksellers.

The public, unable to obtain the books they want, will rely further on the libraries. To supply this demand the libraries must buy more books. Already they have been unable to obtain from local sellers the extra copies needed Even more important is the fact that this shortage will be cumulative. The factors which helped to ease the situation this year will be absent in 1954. There must be an ever widening gap between supply and demand. In the nature of ordering books it would be necessary to obtain additional exchange before the latter half of the year to bring any improvement in the shortage.

It follows that we are faced with the problem of increased student population and decreased supplies of texts There is an increase in public demand for all types of literature and a shortage of fiction and non-fiction, periodicals and magazines. Allowing for an increase in present sales N.Z. imports of overseas books would cost only about two million pounds. When in 1951 importers Indulged in an unrestricted buying spree book imports rose only by 10 per cent. Is it likely that freedom for booksellers to import, would seriously endanger the economy of the country? Are controls on book Importation an economic necessity? And, on reflection, is a policy which restricts the free flow of books into a country likely to assist the democratic education of the people" In the British Commonwealth. N.Z. is the only country other than Ceylon which so governs the importation of books. Harmless as the regulations may appear they are nevertheless a potential weapon in official hands which could bring into Jeopardy our academic and political freedom.