Miss Bartlett Tells Tale (Press, 7 March 1975)

On 7 March 1975, Miss Patricia Bartlett, a prominent moralist campaigner and secretary of the Society for the Promotion of Community Standards, addressed a gathering of around 500 students at the University of Canterbury during their orientation week. The event took place in the Ngaio Marsh Theatre, where Bartlett aimed to share her views on controversial topics such as film censorship and abortion. Despite the potentially uncomfortable nature of her subjects, the students were largely receptive and tolerant, marking a departure from the usual atmosphere of mockery often encountered by speakers. The audience's mood shifted dramatically when an anonymous student interrupted Bartlett's speech by revealing a bare male bottom, which elicited laughter, showcasing the students' playful spirit. Bartlett attempted to articulate her criticisms of the Remuera Medical Aid Centre, commonly referred to as the Auckland Abortion Clinic. In her discourse, she lamented the disparity between how society addresses the homes needed for unwanted animals compared to unwanted humans, a point she made without recognising the inaccuracy in her comparison. During the session, she faced tough questions, such as her qualifications to speak on sexual behaviour. In her response, she drew a parallel between unexperienced opinions on social issues like apartheid and the differing experiences of men and women regarding abortion. Addressing changes in societal behaviour, Bartlett reflected on the difference between her experiences growing up and those of contemporary youth, asserting there was an alarming prevalence of teenage pregnancies compared to her time. She attributed this to a lack of proper guidance, suggesting that girls were not being taught to assert themselves effectively. Moreover, she claimed that New Zealand was producing a "weak breed of woman" and a "selfish breed of man." Despite facing criticism, Bartlett welcomed the opportunity to speak to the students, seeing it as an indication that they were open to hearing "a moral side" in their discussions. She also candidly shared details about her position within the Society, revealing that her role was now full-time and that she received a modest honorarium of $1000, which she found challenging to manage. Her society boasted a membership of 18,000, reflecting a significant base of support for her cause. Overall, the event illustrated the complexities of engaging with emotional and contentious topics in a university environment.

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