Bookseller Retires 'to Read Books' And Sail' (Press, 15 March 1980)

On 15 March 1980, Gordon Tait announced his retirement from bookselling, a field he entered in 1957 to gain more time for reading. After 23 years, Tait expressed his disillusionment with the trade, describing it as boring and stating that he had grown weary of running his bookshop on Cashel Street in Christchurch. Tait has been a prominent figure in the local community, particularly known for his strong opinions on censorship. He clarified that the media had often misrepresented his views, specifically regarding his opposition to Patricia Bartlett's campaign for stringent censorship. He praised New Zealand’s existing censorship laws as the best in the world since 1963, arguing that overly restrictive measures prevent young people from developing maturity as they learn by exploring the boundaries of right and wrong. Tait believed that maturity comes from navigating experiences, even those that may involve discomfort, and he strongly defended the potential of New Zealand children to handle complex concepts. In his retirement, Tait intends to pursue several passions, including completing a book on industrial relations, working on various other writing projects, and translating the works of the ancient Greek poetess Sappho. He also plans to engage in sailing, a long-time interest of his, and jokingly mentioned that he hopes to enjoy some drinks along the way. Reflecting on his life, Tait recounted a challenging educational experience that led to his expulsion from Christchurch Teachers' College, despite high marks. His outspoken nature was noted as a reason for his removal, as he had critiqued the teachers for their perceived incompetence. Before establishing himself as a bookseller, Tait's diverse career included journalism and managing a chemical firm, along with time spent as a building contractor. He revealed that his initial time in the book trade was marked by six months of being seen as out of touch with public demand, a perception that changed when he became president of the Booksellers' Association. As he prepares to hand over his bookshop, Tait expressed satisfaction that it will be taken over by Harold White, the current director of the Booksellers' Association and a familiar name in debates about censorship. White is expected to officially take ownership on April 1, 1980, but Tait will continue to manage the shop until the end of that month to assist with the transition.

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