‘Disgraceful Article’ (Press, 5 April 1975)
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Summary: ‘Disgraceful Article’ (Press, 5 April 1975)
On 4 April 1975, during the Address-in-Reply debate in the New Zealand Parliament, Mr D. S. Thomson, a National Party member representing Stratford, expressed concerns about what he perceived as a decline into permissiveness within New Zealand society. He specifically cited a controversial article advocating for sodomy published by the Gay Liberation Front in Christchurch, which he denounced as disgraceful and scurrilous. Thomson announced his intention to refer the article to the Minister of Justice, Dr Finlay, requesting that it be submitted to the Indecent Publications Tribunal. He indicated that if the Minister failed to act, he would seek permission from the Speaker of the House to take the matter into his own hands. In his discourse, Thomson also addressed the situation in Indo-China, particularly highlighting the plight of South Vietnam's refugees. He asserted that New Zealand must demonstrate its concern for humanity by improving its response to the refugee crisis. He acknowledged that Prime Minister Mr Rowling had reported the availability of two Royal New Zealand Air Force Bristol Freighters to assist in moving refugees and transporting supplies, but stated that this effort was insufficient. Thomson urged that New Zealand's capabilities should be utilised more effectively, citing the nation’s five Hercules aircraft, which have a much larger cargo capacity compared to the Bristol Freighters. In response to Thomson's moral stance, Mr Isbey, the Under-Secretary for Transport, challenged the coherence of Thomson’s views, questioning how he could hold strong opinions on societal standards while seemingly disregarding the moral implications of war. Isbey argued that one’s outrage over societal indecency should be equal to, if not greater than, the outrage over the "obscenity of war." This exchange highlighted a broader tension in Parliament regarding the interplay of moral values and government actions, particularly concerning both societal issues and international humanitarian responsibilities.
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