Judge’s Ruling Slated (Press, 9 August 1975)
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Summary: Judge’s Ruling Slated (Press, 9 August 1975)
On 8 August 1975, Miss Patricia Bartlett expressed her concerns regarding a recent ruling by an Auckland Supreme Court judge, Mr Justice Wilson, which deemed a nude swim at Little Palm Beach on Waiheke Island as not constituting offensive behaviour. This ruling resulted in the quashing of a conviction against a 29-year-old man who had been charged for the incident that occurred in February of the same year. Bartlett, who serves as the national secretary of the Society for the Promotion of Community Standards, interpreted the ruling as potentially leading to the acceptance of public nudity across New Zealand, including on beaches and possibly in public streets. She expressed disbelief that the judge did not foresee the repercussions of his decision, suggesting that it contradicted contemporary community standards which she believes do not favour public nudity. Bartlett articulated her view that most people do not wish to encounter nudity when visiting public beaches, asserting that many would be uncomfortable with nude individuals lying or walking nearby. She raised concerns about the implications for male beachgoers, wondering how a "normal man" could avoid feeling aroused when seeing nude young women in that context. In her commentary, she also suggested that the visibility of nudity at public beaches could negatively impact adult entertainment businesses, as individuals might choose to enjoy nudity for free at the beach rather than pay to enter strip clubs. Overall, Bartlett’s statements reflect a strong belief in preserving traditional community standards and a clear opposition to the increasing acceptance of public nudity as signified by the court's ruling.
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