DECISION OF THE TRIBUNAL

This book, translated by Howard Nelson, claims to be by the famous French author, Guy de Maupassant. Although the Library of Congress catalogues this edition under Maupassant's name, we prefer to follow the standard work of Talvart and Place, Bibliographie des auteurs modernes de la langue française (1801–1956), Volume 13. This unequivocally states that the original of this work, Les Cousines de la Colonelle, has been falsely attributed to Maupassant and was actually written by Madam la Vicomtesse de Coeur-Brûlant, who was an old friend of Georges Sand and the widow of a French naval officer. She was the author of other erotica besides this one which was published in two volumes in 1880 and 1885. The book tells of the experiences, chiefly sexual, of two sisters in nineteenth century France. The sexual incidents predominate and are related in great detail.

The book displays little or no literary merit, and its attempt to masquerade as a genuine work of a notable author does nothing to redeem it.

The Tribunal classifies this book as indecent.

15 June 1973.

R. S. V. SIMPSON, Chairman.

No. 638

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 Pauline—Memoirs of a Singer, anonymous, published by Holloway House Publishing Co., California.

Mr Bathgate appeared on behalf of the applicant.

Mr Downey, solicitor, appeared on behalf of the publisher's representative in New Zealand and made submissions.

DECISION OF THE TRIBUNAL

An abridged version of this book published under the title Promiscuous Pauline was found by the Tribunal to be indecent in its decision No. 325, delivered on 30 July 1971.

This edition claims to be a complete translation of the German original Aus den memoiren einer Saengerin, published in two parts in 1868 and 1875. There does not appear to be any substantial difference between the two versions, other than that of length. The singer’s memoirs are in each case of her sexual rather than her musical prowess. The book is a series of sexual encounters told in very explicit detail and covering a wide range of activities, including some which are clearly perversions. The fact that it was originally written a century ago does not of itself confer either literary merit or social importance upon the book, and we do not find that it possesses either. It must be considered on the same standards as those we would apply to a book written at the present time, and we find no reason to depart from our previous decision.

The Tribunal classifies this book as indecent.

15 June 1973.

R. S. V. SIMPSON, Chairman.

No. 639–641

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 decisions in respect of the magazines Sundisk, Vol. 7, No. 3, Vol. 7, No. 4, and Vol. 8, No. 1.

Mr Fligg appeared on behalf of the applicant and made submissions.

Mr Campbell appeared on behalf of the publisher’s representative in New Zealand and made submissions.

DECISION OF THE TRIBUNAL

Mr Campbell, on behalf of the importers, explained that the magazine Sun-dial, an issue of which came before the Tribunal on 28 October 1969 and, in decision No. 170, was classified as not indecent, had ceased publication. In its place the publishers were now distributing Sundisk, the first three issues of which were before the Tribunal. The publication deviated from the ordinary sun-worship nude type magazine which was no longer in demand. He referred to a number of decisions on nudist publications which he submitted supported a restrictive classification.

The Tribunal is unable to accept this view. Although the text is generally unexceptionable, the illustrations, which dominate the publications, rarely relate to it. They are for the most part unnatural, provocative, and contrived. They clearly bring the magazine within the third category of the classifications which are defined in the Waverley decisions No. 93–103 of 15 July 1968.

The Tribunal classifies these three issues of the magazine as indecent.

15 June 1973.

R. S. V. SIMPSON, Chairman.

No. 642–644

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 decisions in respect of the following books: Girls in Love, published by Leon Publishing Co., Australia; Lesbian Love, published by Free Association Press Pty. (Aust.) Ltd.; The Sex Life of a Photographer, published by F. S. Photo Productions, Australia.

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

DECISION OF THE TRIBUNAL

Like the publications classified as indecent in decisions No. 626 and 627, these three picture books have brief introductory texts or cover descriptions aimed at whetting the appetite for the sequences of photographs of sexual activity which follow.

In the first two books there are ludicrous claims to be providing answers about lesbian relationships to the pressing questions which readers must have. The books simply seek to exploit contemporary acceptance of more open presentation of sexual behaviour. The third book makes no claim to any informative purpose. It is said to be based on two typical days in the life of its subject, the photographer, of whose “incredible sexual antics” the reader is favoured with “a tantalising glimpse”. Its portrayal goes beyond what we consider acceptable within the provisions of the Act.

The Tribunal classifies these three books as indecent.

15 June 1973.

R. S. V. SIMPSON, Chairman.

No. 645

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 Blind Lust by Maurice Gauthier published by Venus Library, U.S.A.

Mr Fligg appeared on behalf of the applicant and made submissions. Mr Campbell appeared on behalf of the publisher’s representative in New Zealand and made submissions.

DECISION OF THE TRIBUNAL

This is a cheaply produced paperback translation of what is claimed to be a French erotic novel of the mid-nineteenth century. It has no literary merit and is a flimsy account of a young woman’s obsession with sexual pleasure, told with prurient detail and without any honesty of purpose.

The Tribunal classifies this book as indecent.

15 June 1973.

R. S. V. SIMPSON, Chairman.

No. 646

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 Childbirth is Ecstasy by Allen Cohen, published by Aquarius Publishing Co., California.

Mr Bathgate appeared on behalf of the applicant and made submissions. Mr Taylor the importer appeared and made submissions.