Eire is Neutral, So Library Should Not Stock any Propaganda by British

Galway Observer, Saturday, March 2, 1940

Introduction

Because Eire is a neutral nation, Mr. C. McGuinness suggests that the Co. Library Committees should not stock any British propaganda.

At the monthly meeting of the Galway Co. Libraries Committee on Saturday, Mr. Eamon Corbett, Chairman, presiding, Mr. McGuinness stated that Eire was a neutral country, and had no special interest in any of the nations at war, therefore he would now propose that no books written by British warmongers or scribblers which were insulting to the Chancellor of the German Reich be allowed into the library in future. They had become a regular clearing—house for British propaganda.

Liam Ua Buachalla was in favour of the suggestion, but suggested that no more books be bought from Great Britain only those of a technical nature. They could bind more of their existing stock, and purchase more Irish classes with the money they would save.

Mr. Cunningham said that the chief function of the library was to provide recreative reading, and the people were entitled to all the variety they could get.

The Secretary (Mr. S. J. Maguire) said there were 75,000 volumes in the library.

Fair Play

Mr. Keane said the Library was supposed to cater for every class and creed, and it would not do to confine their stock to once class of book. He would like to give fair play to everyone and he would suggest that the matter be adjourned so that the members could consider it further.

Secretary — Would you cut out modern fiction?
Liam Ua Buachalla — I would, in the interests of national economy.
The Chairman said he would second Mr. McGuinness's proposal if he confined it to literature relating to any of the nations at war.

Mr. McGuinness said that the Galway Library and Committee were the most imperialistic in the country.

Mr. Kelly objected and said that Mr. McGuinness should be asked to withdraw that statement.

Mr. McGuinness — I am a hundred per cent impenitent: I will even repeat it.

Mr. Keane proposed that the matter.