THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY LIBRARY
LIBRARY SERVICE TO PARLIAMENT
1858-1958

THE BEGINNINGS

Today there are few legislatures without a library of some kind. Parliament works best when its members are well briefed and have access to good sources of information. The shortest speech often requires the verification of facts to be found in books, and the most economical and satisfactory solution is a library. The General Assembly of New Zealand, to give Parliament its more correct title, was not long in deciding this. It met first in 1854 and again in 1855 without a library. At the beginning of the session of 1856, however, the need seems to have been evident for on 6 June Mr W. T. L. Travers from Waimea moved in the House that a library should at once be formed, and a Select Committee set up to consider the best means of establishing one. Three weeks later the Legislative Council followed suit with a similar motion, though here it is interesting to note that Dr Richardson stated that the Councillors had been using the library of the Attorney-General.

The Assembly shared its meeting place with the Auckland Provincial Council, which had in 1853 formed its own library. It was decided that it would be to the advantage of both legislatures to possess a joint library, and on the motion of the chairman the Council was approached to find if it had any objections. The Council did not have any, and in addition offered to provide the librarian and an equal grant for books as well as fittings if the Assembly would provide a room.

On 28 July 1856 the report was laid on the tables of the two Houses, a list of books for purchase given to the Speakers, and a recommendation made that the sum of £100 be placed on the estimates for books. The money was voted, after which Parliament was adjourned, not to meet again until 1858.

The Committee was once again set up, and the situation was such that once again the terms of reference were to consider the best means of establishing a library. The books ordered in 1856, principally on legal and constitutional matters, were there branded "General Assembly" but they were not a library; members had to rely largely on the Provincial Council collection which comprised nine-tenths of the total books available. In its report, the Committee suggested that £300 be devoted to library purposes, and recommended a list of books to be purchased even if they cost more than the £320 available—£20 had not been spent in 1856.

The Committee was not happy about the joint Library, but as matters stood thought it hardly desirable to end the arrangement. It was, however, of the opinion that as soon as practicable the Library should be placed on an independent footing.

To ensure that its recommendations were carried out, and to control and report on the work of the Library, the Committee suggested that an officer, the Librarian of the General Assembly, should be appointed. This was done and the first Librarian was Major F. E. Campbell, the Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Two other matters also were considered of sufficient moment to be mentioned. One was the supply of newspapers that had been cancelled as the Government had promised to supply files from Government offices. The other was the acquisition of British Government publications, which would be of great value to the Library. The Committee noted the successful approach of the Canadian Parliamentary Librarian to the British Government and proposed that either Mr J. E. Fitzgerald, who was in England, or the Colonial Agent should be asked to see if the Library could not be given such documents.

Once again two years elapsed before Parliament met again, and the Librarian reported that there were now books, separated from the Provincial Council Library, but in an adjoining room. The approaches to the British Government had not been entirely fruitful, but there was promise of success.