Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 13 December 1929
“All Quiet on the Western Front” Wombwell Library’s “Discretional” Ban.
Conflicting Views.
The decision of the Library Committee of the Wombwell C.D.C. to ban the war book, “All Quiet on the Western Front”, has aroused much discussion.
The action of the U.D.C.in challenging the withdrawal to the extent of holding the decision up for further consideration, has also been received with conflicting views.
Interviewed this week, Mr J Winder, chairman of the Library Committee, outlined the consideration by which he was influenced in supporting the ban.
“In the first place, ‘All Quiet’ is a war book and nothing else. It was written by a soldier, giving his impressions of what took place in the sphere of war service. That being so, it cannot in the nature of things provide what can be called pleasant reading. In language plain, bold and unabashed, ‘All Quiet’ emphasises the grosser features of war, the human tragedies, the cruelties, the unspeakable hardships and torturing of mind and body. Quiet’ is a story of hell on earth. I believe that in the main this book tells of actual happenings. But to me there is one chapter that might very well have been left out. It was upon this chapter that my objection to the book being put in circulation was chiefly founded. In this chapter intimate sex matters are discussed in detail. But for my objection to this chapter I should not have opposed the book being put into circulation, despite the other horrible and coarse features. I say this because anything that will poison the ‘minds of the public against war should be welcomed and encouraged.
“I hate warfare in every aspect. Why should men who have never exchanged a word be set to slaughter each other? Let moral worth, brotherhood and justice be enthroned and there will be no more war.”‘
The action of the Library Committee is having a secondary effect, which is acknowledged by Mr Winder, when he says: “Undoubtedly this is increasing the demand for the book in this district. People who had never before heard of it are now asking tor it—possibly because they have heard that some portion of it is not fit to be read.
Each member of the Library Committee was given the opportunity of reading All Quiet on the Western Front,’ so that each one could form a considered and independent opinion. The result was that the majority decided it was not a pit and proper book to be placed on the shelves for any person to pick up. The book is in the handa of the librarian, and he has been instructed Ito use his discretion in handing it out.”
Mr. A. J. Poiner, a co-opted member of the Wombwell Library Committee, is against the banning of the book. He said: “It is the best bit of anti-war propaganda I have ever come across.”