3 May THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE 1405

DECISION

This magazine published in Australia describes a number of crimes and police inquiries said to have taken place in the United States.

It deals with matters of crime and violence including two cases involving sexual crimes in the style of newspaper reporting of police cases. There is not in the Tribunal's view anything in the content of the magazine which is injurious to the public good and although there is little social or literary merit it is not likely to corrupt or harm anyone reading it.

The dominant effect of the magazine is little different from the pseudo documentary police drama shown on television or the regular newspaper report of criminal cases in New Zealand.

The Tribunal classifies this magazine as not indecent.

Dated at Wellington this 12th day of April 1979.
LAURENCE M. GREIG, Chairman.

Decision No. 918
Reference No. IND. 22/78

Decision of the Indecent Publications Tribunal

In the matter of the Indecent Publications Act 1963, and in the matter of an application by Hutchinson Group (N.Z.) Ltd. in respect of the book: Will I Like It?; publisher, W. H. Allen, London 1978.

Before the Indecent Publications Tribunal
Messrs. L. M. Greig (chairman), D. M. Wylie, Mrs L. Edmond, Mrs H. B. Dick.
Hearing: 27 February 1979.
Appearances: Mr Pidgeon for Hutchinson Group (N.Z.) Ltd.

Decision

Written for the young and inexperienced, this book is a detailed and candid examination of sexual practices and attitudes. It is honest, informative, wholesome in tone, and pleasant, even humorous, in manner. There is no hint of a desire to arouse an unhealthy or unnatural interest in the subject; on the contrary, a number of prejudices and sexual myths are examined frankly and dispassionately.

The book is a contribution to the accurate instruction and sensible guidance, in this area, for young people which is still too often stated to be lacking in our society.

The Tribunal classifies the book as not indecent.

Dated at Wellington this 12th day of April 1979.
LAURENCE M. GREIG, Chairman.

Decision No. 919
Reference No. IND. 1/79

Decision of the Indecent Publications Tribunal

In the matter of the Indecent Publications Act 1963, and in the matter of an application by Comptroller of Customs in respect of the book: In Touch For Men; publisher, In Touch Incorporated.

Before the Indecent Publications Tribunal
Messrs. L. M. Greig (chairman), D. M. Wylie, Mrs L. Edmond, Mrs H. B. Dick.
Hearing: 27 February 1979.
Appearances: Mr P. E. Leloir for Customs.

Decision

This magazine was privately imported into New Zealand, seized by Customs and comes before us on a disputed forfeiture.

The magazine is published in the United States bi-monthly and is somewhat similar in general style to the Playboy and Penthouse type except that as its title suggests it is a homosexual magazine. It includes a number of photographs of naked males and a number of articles which are predominantly homosexual.

This is not a publication which falls within the categories set out in the 1968 "Waverley" decisions but falls, to be considered, in the category of magazines such as the two mentioned above and other similar ones which have come before the Tribunal. We think however that the homosexual emphasis and the approval of homosexual activity, which is criminal in New Zealand, affect the whole consideration of this magazine. Taking into account all the matters set out in

section 11 of the Act with particular consideration of the effect of the magazine as a whole we conclude that it is indecent.

The Tribunal therefore classifies this magazine as indecent.

Dated at Wellington this 12th day of April 1979.
LAURENCE M. GREIG, Chairman.

Decision No. 921
Reference No. IND. 13/78

Decision of the Indecent Publications Tribunal

In the matter of the Indecent Publications Act 1963, and in the matter of an application by Norman Fergusson Miller for a decision in respect of: Bachelor Annual 1978.

Before the Indecent Publications Tribunal
Messrs. L. M. Greig (chairman), D. M. Wylie, Mrs H. B. Dick.
Hearing: 27 March 1979.
Appearances: Mr Hogg for Murray Publishers Pty. Ltd.

Decision

This is an Australian publication, and although by far the greater part of its content can be described as having a sexual orientation, its general tone is not as prurient as some the Tribunal has seen. It is appropriate to allow it limited circulation among adults, and we accordingly classify it as indecent in the hands of persons under the age of 18 years.

Dated at Wellington this 12th day of April 1979.
LAURENCE M. GREIG, Chairman.

Decision No. 922
Reference No. IND. 6/79

Decision of the Indecent Publications Tribunal

In the matter of the Indecent Publications Act 1963, and in the matter of an application by Comptroller of Customs in respect of the magazines: High Times, Nos. 29, 30, 33, and 35; publisher, Trans High Corporation; and Glass Head, publisher, Barney Karp.

Before the Indecent Publications Tribunal
Messrs. L. M. Greig (chairman), D. M. Wylie, Mrs L. Edmond, Mrs H. B. Dick.
Hearing: 27 February 1979.
Appearances: Mr P. E. Leloir for Customs.

Decision

This group of publications comprises four magazines and a manufacturer's catalogue.

All are published in the United States and are almost wholly concerned with the use, sale and purchase, cultivation, and distribution of various kinds of drugs. The magazines contain a number of articles about matters of interest to drug users and advertisements of accessories and equipment for keeping, using, and growing drugs. The catalogue has no text but is a photographic display, with prices and directions for purchase, of equipment for drug users.

The dominant effect of the magazines is the approval and encouragement of the use of all kinds of drugs with passing reference to methods and equipment to avoid detection. While not all that is contained in these magazines could be said to be indecent under the Act the effect as a whole in each and every case is to describe, depict, or otherwise deal with matters of crime in New Zealand in a manner which the Tribunal considers is injurious to the public good.

Having considered all the matters under section 11 there is not any sufficient redeeming feature in these magazines to qualify the decision as to indecency under the Act.

There are more than three issues of this magazine before us, all published within a period of 12 months and it is appropriate that there should be a serial publication restriction order.

Glass Head we consider to be in a different category. While it is intended to encourage purchase of articles for using drugs, it is in itself, as a photographic display, innocent. Purchases or attempted purchases through its means might well be criminal but the effect of the catalogue as a publication appears to us to be not injurious to the public good and not an affront to commonly accepted standards of decency.

D