“sex Lobby” Alleged (Press, 19 January 1972)

On 18 January 1972, Miss Patricia Bartlett, secretary of the Society for the Promotion of Community Standards, expressed concerns in Hamilton regarding alleged lobbying efforts from individuals with financial interests in sex-related literature. She suggested that these individuals might be attempting to influence members of Parliament (M.P.s) against the impending tightening of censorship laws in New Zealand. This statement followed a recent favourable recommendation for the society's petition on censorship from a Parliamentary committee. Bartlett emphasised the crucial nature of the forthcoming parliamentary vote, noting that the success of their campaign would rely on the proposed legislation and how M.P.s would cast their votes. She expressed frustration that without a majority vote, her efforts would be futile from a legal standpoint. Bartlett indicated a belief that financial stakeholders in the sex book industry were incentivised to oppose stricter laws, possibly through lobbying M.P.s and media personnel to sway public and political opinion. She articulated three modest requests for reform: the enforcement of existing laws against the exhibition of restricted books, a simplified process for referring books to the Indecent Publications Tribunal, and a prohibition on selling books while they are under review by the Tribunal. Bartlett reasoned that a modest approach was strategic, as asking for smaller changes would likely yield results, unlike a broader request which could face more resistance. In her remarks, Bartlett encouraged members of the society nationwide to actively engage in monitoring bookshops, purchasing books, and referring them to the Tribunal, in an effort to generate a more collective movement rather than relying solely on a few individuals for oversight. While the main focus was on censorship, Bartlett’s comments coincided with other news highlights from the day, including the signing of rugby league player J. O’Neil by the Manly Rugby League Club for a record sum of NZ$30,000, as well as updates on ticket sales for the Sapporo Winter Olympics, which were set to open on 3 February 1972. The organising committee reported that 333,162 tickets had already been sold.

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