BOOK-TOKENS
SIR,—Such a letter as that from your correspondent and the fact that you will print it are an indication that book-tokens have come to be regarded more in the nature of a public service than as a commercial venture for the benefit of the trade. Whilst we are anxious to minimise any difficulty which the public might have in buying or exchanging tokens, we have to bear in mind that the service must pay for itself and that certain conditions are essential if that is to be achieved. The only com- pulsion on a bookseller to sell or exchange book-tokens is his willingness to' serve his customers. In fact there ate very few reputable booksellers who do not willingly perform this service. In the rules printed on the back of the token card we state clearly that it is negotiable at most book- shops and bookstalls.
Some years ago a limitation restricting- tokens to the purchase of new boOks was removed, but it is entirely within the competence of the second- hand bookseller to refuse to accept a token. It is perhaps pertinent to add that the token scheme is the property"of the Booksellers' Association, and the directors of the company which administers the scheme are nominated by that association and receive no remuneration for their services. The book trade regards book-tokens as a service to the public. Finally, we thank Lieut.-Col. Garwood for his reasonable letter and you
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