Book Imports

"Salient" pointed out that, although set texts are exempt from restrictions, all other cultural books — novels, poetry, drama, literary criticism, and books on the arts and science other than strictly technical books—are cut 40% on those imported in 1956. Mr. Skoglund stressed that he had done everything possible for the students and assured "Salient" that there would be full supplies for the University libraries. On being questioned whether the comparatively small saving on books was worthwhile, he stated that although the saving was small every small saving contributed towards the wellbeing of the nation's economy. "You can only buy with what you have got," he said, and went on to say that some things just had to be given up because of the state of the country's finances. When "Salient" suggested that booksellers might use their import allocations to purchase "trashy" books, in preference to books of some cultural value, the Minister said that it was impossible to inspect what the booksellers imported without having a whole host of customs inspectors checking each package entering the country.