Lascelles Article Leads To Amended Writs (Press, 19 January 1980)
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Summary: Lascelles Article Leads To Amended Writs (Press, 19 January 1980)
On 19 January 1980, it was reported that Mr Gerald Lascelles, a recently retired lawyer from Christchurch, is taking legal action against the publication "Truth" and Radio Avon following claims made in the magazine's 15 January issue. The article alleged that homosexual magazines had been seized from Lascelles's residence in Sumner by Customs officers. Mr J. B. Stringer, Lascelles's solicitor, stated that these claims were "false in material particulars and without foundation in fact." Lascelles was a shareholder in Action Travel, Ltd, which had placed an advertisement in "Advocate," a well-circulated American publication. Stringer explained that a copy of this magazine was sent to New Zealand and underwent a routine customs check. He mentioned that Lascelles had accepted the proceedings of the Customs Department, which had indicated that the magazine would be reviewed at their head office in Wellington. Stringer firmly denied any claims of a raid or seizure of material from Lascelles's home. The Christchurch Collector of Customs, Mr G. H. Thomson, confirmed that no raid had occurred at Lascelles's house, nor had there ever been plans to do so. He clarified that the magazine addressed to Lascelles was detained as Customs suspected it might breach the Indecent Publications Act of 1963. This determination would be made by referring the magazine to the Indecent Publications Tribunal based on prior similar rulings. According to Mr J. A. Keane, the Comptroller of Customs, if the publication were found to be indecent, a formal notice of seizure would be issued; if deemed marginally acceptable, it would be forwarded to the Tribunal for a decision. At the time of these events, Lascelles was on holiday in the United States. His retirement from the law firm Weston, Ward, and Lascelles took effect on 30 December 1979. He, along with Simon Reid Morley and Peter John Mazey, co-founded Action Travel, Ltd in late 1978, which focuses on promoting tours to New Zealand for international travellers. Mazey explained that they inserted the advertisement in "Advocate" based on recommendations that most of its readers were travellers. He also noted that Lascelles intended to explore advertising opportunities in the United States while on holiday. Lascelles is expected to return to New Zealand in early March to advance the travel business, as stated by his solicitor, Mr Stringer. This news highlights the legal challenges facing Lascelles while also emphasizing the nature of advertising efforts undertaken by Action Travel, Ltd during its early stages as a travel agency.
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