40
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE
No. 1

No. 596–611

Decision of the Indecent Publications Tribunal

IN the matter of the Indecent Publications Act 1963, and in the matter of a reference to the Tribunal under section 12 (1) of the said Act by the Magistrate’s Court at Auckland for a decision and report in terms of the said section in respect of the following books: A Triology of Sex Patterns by Lloyd Lawson, M.D., and others, The Sexual Woman by Robert H. Sheldon, Incest—The Sibling Syndrome by Lee James; all published by Cameo Library Incorporated, California. Audition by Karl Rockwood, Five Masks of Incest by Lydia Wilkinson, The Sensuous Group by S. V., A Study of Unusual Seductions by Marsha Alexander, Roman Orgy by Marcus Van Heller, The Candidates Mistress by Tony Trelos, The Blue Oscar by Jack Angleman, The Godson by Joseph Buonanno; all published by Brandon Books, California. Carnal Priest by Father Pierre Alment, Simone by Roger Bequet, Arlette and Her Friends by Don Carlos, and The Incitations of Suzon by Francois Merdi, Flesh and Ecstasy by Gisele de Roseaux; all published by Montmartre Press, California. Sunny Girl Book II published by Sunny Girl Publications, Middlesex, England.

There was no appearance of the defendant in the proceedings. Mr Neazor, solicitor, appeared on behalf of the Police and made submissions which were helpful to the Tribunal.

DECISION AND REPORT

A Triology of Sex Patterns, Incest—The Sibling Syndrome, The Sexual Woman

The first of these books belongs to the Cameo Sex Behaviour Editions, the other two to the Cameo Sex Reality Series. The chief difference between the two series of case histories seems to be that in the first book the participation in its compilation of four physician-editors is acknowledged, whereas the other two books are wholly the work of lay authors. One of the sources of the case-history material in the first book is named in the preface as Mr James Lee, yet appears in the list of contents as Lee James and is presumably the Lee James who is the author of the second of the three books before the Tribunal. The author of the third book, Robert H. Sheldon, is said to be “new to socio-sexual reports, but he brings to the subject of female sexuality vast credentials as a novelist”. One of the Swap Street books written by him was classified as indecent in decision No. 416.

It is clear, therefore, that in only the first of these three books is there any claim of professional interest in the material assembled from case histories. That interest is perfunctory and in no way disciplines the presentation of the material. It cannot be said to be honestly pursued. The appeal of the book to prurient absorption in the detail of sexual behaviour is blatant, despite the gesture towards scientific interest with which the book concludes, a slight bibliography in which Lee James becomes James Lee once more.

The two Sex Reality books have no honest purpose, and no claim to be considered other than commercial, perhaps wholly fictional, ventures in case-history presentation of sensational and bizarre sexual experience. Phrases from their respective covers, “An extraordinary document of sexual licentiousness” and “The optimum in case-histories”, suggests the tone and appeal of the books.

The Tribunal classifies these three books as indecent.

Roman Orgy, The Blue Oscar, The Candidates Mistress, The Audition, The Godson

The search for extreme sexual gratification, sometimes laced with cruelty and revenge, is the principal motive in each of these books. There are differences in the degree to which their presentation of sexual exploitation, violence, and perversion is offensive, but all of them have such a persistent preoccupation with glamourising what they present as to make them indecent.

The Tribunal classifies these five books as indecent.

A Study of Unusual Seductions, Five Masks of Incest, The Sensuous Group

The commentary offered on the case histories in these three books is trivial and not likely to distract attention from the detailed recital of sexual adventures which is their real concern. The pretence of “scientific” interest in the material is flimsy. The books pander to prurient interest in sexual behaviour in a way that is clearly indecent.

The Tribunal classifies these three books as indecent.

Arlette and Her Friends, and “The Incitations of Suzon”, Carnal Priest, Flesh and Ecstasy, Simone

These four paperback novels claim to be “translated from the privately-printed French edition” and are dressed up with French-sounding authors’ names. There is no other evidence for assuming them to be anything other than American in origin. They consist solely of a series of sexual episodes, whose stock-in-trade is the initiation of virgins and group sexual practices mixed in an unholy brew. These episodes are recounted in great detail and with total lack of credibility, devoid of any smattering of literary merit or any shred of honest purpose. By any test the Tribunal is required to make they are all clearly indecent.

The Tribunal classifies these books as indecent.

Sunny Girl Book II

This is a collection of photographs of partially-clad women in a variety of provocative poses. The intent is not so much to display the beauty of the human body as to arouse a prurient response from the reader. It lacks honesty of purpose, and the Tribunal classifies it as indecent.

R. S. V. SIMPSON, Chairman.

18 December 1972.

No. 612

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 Lieutenant L.S.D. by Lan Creston, published by Lan Creston, California.

There was no appearance of the applicant. Mr Culliford appeared on behalf of the publisher’s representative in New Zealand and made submissions.

DECISION OF THE TRIBUNAL

THIS paperback book which retails in New Zealand at about $4.75 is the autobiography of a young American as an undergraduate and then as a lieutenant in the Army—a young man with an insatiable appetite for drugs and women. He describes in great detail his sexual adventures in language which while it would be offensive to many is nevertheless commonly heard in such places as Army barracks or university campuses.

One of the great social problems in the U.S.A. today is the use and abuse of drugs by its armed forces. This book reveals the seriousness of this problem and its effect on the young American.

Our conclusion is that although there are parts of the book which would be offensive to many, these passages are an integral part of the whole and considering the book as a whole we are of the view that it would not deprave or corrupt mature readers.

Nevertheless we are of the opinion that because of the explicit description of the sexual episodes and also the language used some restriction should be imposed.

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

R. S. V. SIMPSON, Chairman.

18 December 1972.

No. 613

Decision of the Indecent Publications Tribunal

IN the matter of the Indecent Publications Act 1963, and in the matter of an application by Marketing Services (N.Z.) Ltd. for a decision in respect of the book The Professional, anonymous, published by Openleaves, Sydney.

Mr Downey, solicitor, appeared on behalf of the applicant and made submissions.

DECISION OF THE TRIBUNAL

THIS book, published in Australia, is basically a picture book with a short text interleaved between the photographs. The cover describes the book as “the intimate portrayal in photographs of a day in the life of a woman of pleasure”. There is no over emphasis on the sex act itself and in so far as the story is concerned it would not encourage the young to embark on a life of prostitution. There is no theme of cruelty, perversion, or violence and considering the book as a whole the Tribunal considers it should not be denied to adults.

Nevertheless because of the explicit nature of the text and photos the Tribunal feels that it is not desirable that it should be made available to young persons.

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

R. S. V. SIMPSON, Chairman.

18 December 1972.