Be Average, Tribunal Told (Press, 21 October 1976)

On 21 October 1976, the Indecent Publications Tribunal in Wellington was engaged in hearings regarding the New Zealand edition of “Forum,” published by Seven Seas Publishing Pty, Ltd. The hearings were initiated by the Secretary for Justice, who sought a ruling on four specific issues from the magazine. The tribunal comprised several members, including Mr E. Gregg as chairman, alongside Mr D. M. Wylie, Mr I. A. Cross, Mrs L. Edmond, and Miss W. M. Rolleston, though Miss Rolleston was absent in the morning session. During the proceedings, Mr D. P. Neazor, representing the Justice Department, stated that the tribunal needed to gauge the contemporary standards of the entire community rather than merely reflecting the perspectives of its most liberal or conservative factions. He argued that "Forum" was indecent as per the Indecent Publications Act, suggesting the magazine contained content that could be seen as harmful to public good. Neazor highlighted that “Forum” facilitated an extensive discussion of sexual matters, including personal experiences, and presented material that delved into unusual sexual behaviours and crimes such as sodomy and incest. He contended that the magazine aimed to condition its readers to accept the views of the publishers and questioned any claims of medical or psychological benefits, citing a lack of substantial evidence supporting such assertions within the community. Neazor recommended that three of the submitted issues be deemed indecent and that the fourth issue should be considered indecent for anyone under the age of 18. Representing Seven Seas, Mr P. Downey argued against the process undertaken by the Justice Department, suggesting that it aimed to impose a serial restriction on the magazine by submitting the four issues collectively. He cautioned that if the tribunal found even three issues to be indecent, it could effectively lead to the end of the magazine's publication, without allowing room for changes or adjustments to its content. Downey defended the magazine's role, asserting that “Forum” raised significant questions regarding sex and human relationships in a socially responsible manner. He claimed that its content could help readers reassess their values and attitudes while providing a platform for them to share their concerns and experiences regarding sexual fantasies. The tribunal ultimately reserved its decision on the matter, which included a separate case concerning two issues of the United States edition of “Penthouse” magazine. Mr P. E. Leloir, representing the Comptroller of Customs, expressed that “Penthouse” had shifted towards an increasing emphasis on sexual content over its previously claimed serious journalistic features.

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