21 OCTOBER

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE

Blue Movie was made by Andy Warhol in 1968; he states, according to the back cover, that it is a film about the war in Vietnam; it is in fact a film, or in this case, a book, about two people having sexual relations, which are shown with the utmost frankness. There is an element of socio-political comment. The stills as chosen for the book heighten the emphasis on sex but not to such an extent that the book should be denied to adults.

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

Events was made in 1968–69 by Fred Baker, and is almost wholly concerned with sex and drugs; it culminates in an orgy or group sex. The line between fiction and reality is a very thin one and it is difficult to ascribe any social or artistic merit to the book. However it is unlikely that the book would have an injurious effect on adults.

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. 366

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 Where’s Poppa? by Robert Klane, published by Paperback Library, 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

THE humour in this novel's portrayal of a son's desperate and comically doomed attempts to get rid of his senile mother and get on with his own sex life has little subtlety or wit. The phrase "sick humour" is used in one of the review citations on the cover but the crudeness and grossness of the narrative, together with the book's triviality and shallowness, scarcely warrant any such sophisticated view of its grasp on life and character. In the Tribunal's view the book deals with sex in a manner injurious to the public good.

The Tribunal classifies this book as indecent.

R. S. V. SIMPSON, Chairman.

12 October 1971.

Indecent Publications Tribunal

I, Jack Alexander McLeod Kean, Comptroller of Customs, give notice that I have applied to the Indecent Publications Tribunal for a decision as to whether the book described below is indecent or not, or for a decision as to its classification:

Title: Lesbian Secrets.

Author: Evelyn Theodor.

Publisher: Riverhaven Ltd., 50 Alexandra Road, London S.W. 19.

Indecent Publications Tribunal

I, Jack Alexander Kean, Comptroller of Customs, give notice that I have applied to the Indecent Publications Tribunal for a decision as to whether the book W.H.A.M., author Mike Stout, published by Sphere Books Ltd., London, is indecent or not or for a decision as to its classification.

The Standards Act 1965—Draft New Zealand Standard Specification Available for Comment

PURSUANT to subsection (3) of section 23 of the Standards Act 1965, notice is hereby given that the following draft New Zealand standard specification is being circulated:

Number and Title of Specification

DZ 3421/228 Hard drawn mild steel wire for concrete reinforcement.

All persons who may be affected by this specification and who desire to comment thereon may, upon application, obtain a copy on loan from the Standards Association of New Zealand, New Zealand Display Centre Building, Sturdee Street (or Private Bag), Wellington. Additional copies are obtainable at 50c a copy from the same address.

The closing date for the receipt of comment is 12 November 1971.

Dated at Wellington this 11th day of October 1971.

G. H. EDWARDS, Director,

Standards Association of New Zealand.

(S.A. 114/2/8)

RESERVE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF THE RESERVE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND AS AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON WEDNESDAY, 6 OCTOBER 1971

Assets

Gold ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 704,807
Overseas assets—
(a) Current accounts and short term bills ... ... ... ... ... 118,703,075
(b) Investments ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 82,221,006
(c) Holdings of special drawing rights ... ... 19,404,580
220,328,661
New Zealand coin.. ... ... ... ... ... 4,451,772
Discounts ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 3,400,000
Advances—
(a) To the State... ... ... ... ... ... ... 455,873
(b) To marketing accounts ... ... ... ... ... 98,753,021
(c) Export credits ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 9,520,274
(d) Other advances ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 4,080,000
112,809,168
Investments in New Zealand—
(a) N.Z. Government Securities ... ... ... 59,487,970
(b) Other ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 438,750
59,926,720
Other assets ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 12,210,437
\$413,831,565

M. R. HUTTON, Chief Accountant.

15 October 1971.