Campaign Continues (Press, 10 May 1971)

Miss Patricia Bartlett is steadfast in her campaign against indecency, particularly in relation to books, magazines, and recordings. Despite a previous petition to Parliament that garnered 41,717 signatures but ultimately failed to bring about change, she is determined to continue her efforts. Her latest petition, which has already collected 17,500 signatures, advocates for amendments to the 1963 Indecent Publications Act and is scheduled to be reviewed by the Parliamentary petitions committee in October 1971. In her first public address in Auckland, Bartlett explained the focus of her proposed amendments. She aims to prevent prohibited books from being accessible to young people, to ensure that any materials sent to the Indecent Publications Tribunal are frozen pending consideration, and to ease the financial burden on citizens wishing to submit materials for review. Currently, individuals must provide six copies of a publication for consideration, which she argues is excessive, proposing instead to reduce the requirement to just one copy. Bartlett also expressed criticism towards the current functioning of the tribunal, highlighting its inefficiencies. She noted that from its inception to December 1970, the tribunal had only made 252 decisions, averaging about 36 per year. She attributed this slow pace to the tribunal being a part-time body with members who have full-time jobs, suggesting that at least two full-time members are needed to ensure timely consideration of publications. Moreover, due to the emotionally taxing nature of the work, she recommends that full-time members should serve for no more than two years before taking a mandatory break. Bartlett elaborated on the challenges faced by individuals wishing to submit materials to the tribunal. She pointed out that not only does submitting a publication require an individual to cover the costs of providing multiple copies, but it also forces them to publicly disclose their identity, which many might wish to keep confidential for personal or professional reasons. She believes that the financial responsibility should lie with the importer of the questionable materials rather than the average citizen. Through her activism, Bartlett is striving to reform the Assembly’s approach to controlling indecency in media, advocating for a more efficient and accessible process for individuals concerned about offensive content. Her continued efforts highlight her commitment to addressing what she perceives as weak administrative practices surrounding the regulation of indecent materials in New Zealand.

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