Fines, Gaol Called For (Press, 14 October 1971)

On 13 October 1971, in Wellington, antipornography campaigner Miss Patricia Bartlett presented a series of proposals to a petitions committee regarding the regulation of indecent and restricted publications. Her suggestions aimed at tightening the existing laws around the sale and display of such materials. Among her key proposals were increased fines for violations, the removal of the six-month limit for prosecutions, and the requirement for all university capping magazines to be reviewed by a tribunal prior to printing. Bartlett called for a more efficient process for referring publications to the tribunal by seeking quicker permission from the Justice Department, and she proposed the establishment of two full-time tribunals instead of the current part-time setup. She recommended that only one copy of a contested book be sent to the Minister for review, with importers supplying the remaining copies for the tribunal, as opposed to the current requirement for the applicant to provide all six copies and cover advertising costs. Additionally, she pointed out deficiencies in customs inspection, arguing that many books were being released by customs while their classification was still pending. She proposed inserting a clause in the Customs Act to impose hefty fines of up to $10,000 for importing and selling materials subsequently classified as indecent or restricted, with a prison sentence of up to 12 months on a second offence. Importers would need to submit six copies of any “doubtful” material for classification before importing larger quantities. Bartlett expressed concern that the current tribunal process lacked the inclusion of expert advice in making decisions. She suggested it should be mandated that the tribunal consult specialists, drawing a comparison to the Chief Film Censor's practice of seeking expert input for films in certain categories. Furthermore, she raised alarm over the trend of publishers and retailers advertising restricted materials to audiences under the age of 16, noting that these advertisements are now appearing on television and in newspapers, undermining the goals of the legislation meant to protect children. She proposed that it should be made illegal to advertise restricted material in any media and urged the government to instruct the tribunal's chairman to curtail what she described as “free advertising” associated with media reports on tribunal decisions. Overall, Miss Bartlett's recommendations aimed at enhancing the regulatory framework surrounding the distribution of indecent publications, ensuring greater protection for youth against inappropriate materials, and streamlining the process for legal scrutiny of potentially harmful publications.

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