Campaigning Against Censorship (Press, 27 October 1979)
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Summary: Campaigning Against Censorship (Press, 27 October 1979)
The pamphlet titled "The Bartlett Syndrome: Censorship in New Zealand," authored by Gordon Tait and published by Freedom to Read in October 1979, presents a detailed examination of censorship in New Zealand, focusing on the developments in book censorship from the late 19th century to the late 20th century. Tait, a Christchurch bookseller, compiled the contents of two lectures he delivered in August 1979 for a Workers' Educational Association course on "Language, Literature, and Licence in New Zealand." In the first lecture, "From Chaos to Order," Tait reviews the history of book censorship, beginning with the Offensive Publications Act of 1892. This was followed by the Indecent Publications Act of 1963, which established the Indecent Publications Tribunal to assess what constituted indecent material, thus removing such decisions from individual customs officers and Cabinet Ministers. Tait posits that this tribunal system has, overall, been more effective than its predecessors. The second lecture, "Retreat from Order," addresses the increase in complaints regarding the tribunal's decisions, stemming mainly from a conservative faction of society. Tait argues that the complaints made by Patricia Bartlett and her organisation, the Society for the Promotion of Community Standards, led to the 1972 amendments to the Indecent Publications Act. These amendments increased penalties for indecent publications, introduced new offences, and extended the time frame for prosecution from six months to two years. Tait highlights the impact of the 1977 Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act, which criminalised the provision of contraceptive advice to minors, causing booksellers to shy away from stocking sex education literature, even those already approved by the tribunal. Tait criticises what he views as a regression in censorship standards since 1964, attributing the changes to political motivations rather than social welfare. He asserts that the 1972 amendment reintroduced a dual system of censorship, ultimately hindering access to essential sex education for those who require it most. He cites an alarming meeting convened by the Minister of Customs that involved key figures—including Bartlett—that resulted in additional scrutiny of contentious publications. Tait warns against the dangers of extreme censorship and emphasises that while the regulation of pornography is essential, censorship should not be dictated by the moral or religious beliefs of a particular segment of society. He defends the tribunal's composition, where the decision-making power lies with a diverse group including experienced legal professionals and qualified educators. This ensures that the concept of indecency is interpreted through a lens that reflects contemporary societal standards. In conclusion, Tait urges that the Indecent Publications Tribunal should be allowed to function independently and without interference from political figures and moral crusaders. He believes that the nuances of public attitude towards censorship and indecency must be respected to preserve the integrity of literary freedom and social education.
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