21 OCTOBER

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE

DECISION OF THE TRIBUNAL

ONE copy of this magazine was submitted on 3 June 1970. It
was mislaid and only recently found and placed before the
Tribunal for its consideration.

The magazine is devoted to the relationship of women with
women.

The Tribunal's decisions Nos. 157 and 158, published in the
New Zealand Gazette on 18 September 1969, laid down the
criteria in respect of this type of magazine. It is the view of
the Tribunal that many of the photographs are objectionably
suggestive and are not intended to inform or attract but rather
to disturb and pervert. Parts of the text also deal with sex
perversion in a manner which in the view of the Tribunal is
injurious to the public good.

The Tribunal classifies this magazine as indecent.

R. S. V. SIMPSON, Chairman.

12 October 1971.

No. 353

Decision of the Indecent Publications Tribunal

IN the matter of the Indecent Publications Act 1963, and in
the matter of an application by the Comptroller of Customs
for a decision in respect of the book Women Without Men by
Jessica Simmons, published by Sphere Books, London.

There was no appearance of the applicant nor of the
publisher's representative in New Zealand. Accordingly no
submissions were made.

DECISION OF THE TRIBUNAL

THIS story centres around a club for lesbians. The lesbian
relationships of various members are recounted in detail. However, the story is told with a certain degree of restraint but
because of the specific description of lesbian activities the
Tribunal is inclined to the view that it is unsuitable for young
people.

The Tribunal classifies this book as indecent in the hands of
persons under the age of 18 years.

R. S. V. SIMPSON, Chairman.

12 October 1971.

No. 354

Decision of the Indecent Publications Tribunal

IN the matter of the Indecent Publications Act 1963, and in
the matter of an application by the Comptroller of Customs
for a decision in respect of the magazine Kingsize, Vol. 2,
published by American Art Enterprises, California.

There was no appearance of the applicant nor of the
publisher's representative in New Zealand. Accordingly no
submissions were made.

DECISION OF THE TRIBUNAL

APART from a few short stories and some snippets of sexual
gossip this magazine consists entirely of photographs of models
in grossly suggestive poses. Everything in the magazine's treatment of sex, in pictures and text, debases and distorts and
the magazine is clearly indecent within the meaning of the
Act.

The Tribunal classifies this magazine as indecent.

R. S. V. SIMPSON, Chairman.

12 October 1971.

No. 355

Decision of the Indecent Publications Tribunal

IN the matter of the Indecent Publications Act 1963, and in
the matter of an application by the Comptroller of Customs
for a decision in respect of the book In the Hands of the
Inquisition by Maria Deluz, published by Canova Press Ltd.,
London.

There was no appearance of the applicant nor of the
publisher's representative in New Zealand. Accordingly no
submissions were made.

DECISION OF THE TRIBUNAL

THE lurid cover of this book matches the tone of the text.
The sexual and sadistic practices described are offered for
prurient savouring and the experiences of the heroine, despite
the protestations about her suffering, are rendered without
feeling or honest concern.

The book exploits sensational material and deals with sex
and violence in a manner that violates the Act.

The Tribunal classifies this book as indecent.

R. S. V. SIMPSON, Chairman.

12 October 1971.

No. 356

Decision of the Indecent Publications Tribunal

IN the matter of the Indecent Publications Act 1963, and in
the matter of an application by the Comptroller of Customs
for a decision in respect of the book Quiet Days in Clichy by
Henry Miller, published by Grove Press, New York.

There was no appearance of the applicant. Mr P. J. Downey,
solicitor, appeared on behalf of the publishers and made submissions.

DECISION OF THE TRIBUNAL

THE Tribunal has considered other works by Henry Miller in
earlier years. This further book was written in 1940 but substantially revised before publication in 1956. It revokes with characteristic frankness and colour brief moments in Miller's life in Paris in the thirties. Its vivid reminiscence of sexual experience will offend some readers, but considering the book as a whole, and giving weight to section 11 (2) of the Act, as was done in the earlier decisions referred to, the Tribunal concludes that Quiet Days in Clichy should take its place among Miller's works that are freely available.

The Tribunal classifies the book as not indecent.

R. S. V. SIMPSON, Chairman.

12 October 1971.

No. 357

Decision of the Indecent Publications Tribunal

IN the matter of the Indecent Publications Act 1963, and in
the matter of an application by the Comptroller of Customs
for a decision in respect of the book The Laughing Woman
by Hadrian Reeve. published by Audubon Books, New York.

There was no appearance of the applicant nor of the
publisher's representative in New Zealand. Accordingly no
submissions were made.

DECISION OF THE TRIBUNAL

THIS novel presents a sadist's treatment of the latest of the
female victims he has acquired. She turns out to be the last of
his victims as well, for at the climax of the book she reverses their roles and her master drowns both in ecstasy and in his swimming pool. It emerges that she has been playing the role all along and in the final pages she is identified as a successful liquidator of "foolish males" and as the priestess of a new religion devoted to the triumph of women.

The fact that the sadist is disposed of and the presence in
these final pages of the topical theme of women's liberation do nothing to offset the impression given by everything that precedes. The various bizarre tortures and fantasies are dwelt on with a relish that panders to perverted and morbid interest in sexual exploitation and violence.

The Tribunal classifies the book as indecent.

R. S. V. SIMPSON, Chairman.

12 October 1971.

No. 358

Decision of the Indecent Publications Tribunal

IN the matter of the Indecent Publications Act 1963, and in
the matter of an application by the Comptroller of Customs
for a decision in respect of the magazine Avant Garde, No. 14,
by Ed. L. Gisszburg, published by Avant Garde Media, New York.

There was no appearance of the applicant nor of the
publisher's representative in New Zealand. Accordingly no
submissions were made.