# 12 - November 1958
[The National Naturist Review - Summer 1959] Editor: Stewart Ransom (Pages: 20 - 5/- per annum)
Contents:-
Editorial
Letters to the Editor
Conflict with Conscience (Rev. Ray Fussell)
The 7th National Rally (Wellington)
The 8th National Rally (Auckland)
The N.Z. Sunbathing Association - Items of Interest from the 7th Rally, National Officers, Ivan Mowlem Trophy
Outside N.Z.
I.N.F - Calling you, Australian snippet
Obituary: Ray Martin (ASC)
Club Notes (11)
Official Journal
of the New Zealand
Sunbathing Association
Summer Issue 1959
price 5/- per annum
----- " -----
National Office
Box 6395 Wgtn.
Another National Rally has again proved that the New Zealand Naturist Movement is a very healthy organisation. Members have travelled long distances with an enthusiasm, to enjoy the hospitality of another club, as well as to participate in the more serious business activities. These efforts have often been considerable and a true reflection of their interest and support of the movement.
The unity of the New Zealand Movement is something unique in a world of nudism. It seems to be the only country in which differences of opinion have not been sufficiently bitter to split the membership and cause other organisations to arise. The conflict between national organisations within the same countries has been so severe that often the nudist movement has suffered. New Zealand is fortunate that it has been spared this experience.
Strength through the united efforts of all clubs and other interested members can safeguard against the danger of breakaway factions. The sacrifice of some views which might create a rift is often worthwhile to ensure the unity of the movement. A divided voice is no voice at all to express the nudist point of view to an unsympathetic public.
A solid united front can continue to make even greater progress in the years to come. The National Rallies give recognition of this unity and can truly express the national nudist point of view, a national movement now numbering sufficient to warrant serious public consideration.
The Officers and Members, 22.12.58
New Zealand Sunbathing Association.
Dear Friends,
On behalf of all Australian sunbathers, and all at "Sun Review", I would like to extend to you hearty good wishes from sunny Australia and a sincere wish that your forthcoming Rally is an even greeter success than you ever hoped for.
New Zealand nudists are to be congratulated on their enthusiasm, which is shown in a very practical way, and for their initiative in getting things done. Many of us in Australia envy your progress in the art, but we never despair that some day we may emulate your example.
Best wishes once again, for a successful Rally. We hope everybody enjoys themselves to the full and that the sun is as sunny as our greetings to you, so that all may indulge to the full. We shall look forward to hearing all about the occasion.
Yours fraternally,
J.N.
Editor.
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God made the world--and rested,
God made man--and rested,
Then God made woman,
Since then neither God nor man has rested.
by the Rev. Ray Fussell.
John and Mary were very interested in Naturism, some of their friends belonged to a club, and they had read a number of naturist magazines. But somehow they could not rid themselves of the feeling that it would be wrong to belong to a club where everybody went about naked. They were brought up to believe that modesty was a virtue, they were so used to 'being modest' that they always shut - and often locked the door when they had a bath. The thought of being seen in public without any clothes rather shocked them.
Mary did not think that they were prudes, but simply that they were always taught to be modest, and they themselves taught their children to be modest. John was respected in the community, and they were both members of the local church. How could they be true to their conscience and join a naturist club?
One day John had a brainwave, he was very friendly with the Vicar, he would ask him for his opinion. It was his job to tell people how to deal with the problem of conscience.
The interview was an extremely pleasant one, not in the least what John expected, and when he got home he was bursting to tell Mary all about it.
"I had a delightful talk with the Vicar, he's one himself, I can't get over it. And as for being worried about our conscience, from what he said our conscience isn't always very reliable."
"Do you mean" said Mary, "that we can't always be guided by our conscience?"
"Not always. St.Paul's conscience told him to persecute the Christians, and after his conversion it told him to do everything in his power to make people into Christians. The Vicar said it was the same conscience, only it was an enlightened one."
"What else did he say?"
"We1l! I told him our problem. He was very patient, and said it isn't a problem really. In the second chapter of Genesis it says that Adam and Eve were naked and they were not ashamed, for that is how God made them. It was their guilty conscience which made them ashamed because they had disobeyed God. He told me something I didn't know, and that is, in the early days of the Church when they baptized people in rivers, they baptized them in the nude."
"I am not perfectly satisfied about my conscience" said Mary. "My conscience would worry me if I went against it, and I would be going against it if I took off all my clothes end let a lot of strange men see me completely naked."
"The Vicar explained it this way: To many people conscience is God speaking to them, but in reality that is not so. Our conscience is only an inner voice telling us to do what we believe to be right, if we go against it we are unhappy; Take for example the case of a man who has been taught to believe that it is wrong to shoot a sitting bird. Should he do so, even by accident, he will feel a sense of shame and wrong doing; though to shoot a bird flying ten yards in front of his muzzle will not produce any sense of guilt. His conscience has been artificially trained. If we have been told from a child that certain things are wrong - even when they are not, our conscience will sound like the voice of God telling us we have done wrong if we do those, things. If a Jew were to eat pork his conscience would give him a dreadful time because he believes it is wrong to eat pork. We do not believe it is wrong, therefore our conscience does not trouble us."
"Just before the interview ended, the Vicar read this from St. Paul's letter to the Philippians 'If you believe in goodness and if you value the approval of God, fix your minds on the things which are holy, and right and pure and beautiful'."
"The more I think of what the Vicar said, the more I think it would be right to join a naturist club, to mix with other people who have pure thoughts about the bodies which God gave us, and allow His sun and wind to keep our bodies clean and healthy. As the Vicar said: 'It is only an artificial moral standard which insists that we must wear clothes, when the only real reason for doing so is to protect our bodies.'"
Mary didn't seem to be listening. At last she said in a dreamy sort of voice: "Wasn't it St.Paul who said 'Whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, think on these things?' I can't help thinking how lovely it would be to be pure-minded enough to belong to a club. The children would love the freedom too, and it would be so much easier to help them to have pure and healthy thoughts... How soon can we become members of a naturist club, John?"
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Held in the grounds of the WELLINGTON SUN & HEALTH SOCIETY INC
27th-28th-29th. December, 1958.
To those who travelled from afar, resigned to a perishing cold and wet week or so, not the least surprising aspect of this year's Rally was the fact that the sun shone with incredible ferocity for the first two days. True, it withdrew as soon as the Press arrived, but it came back in the afternoon of the last day, if not so ferocious, at any rate recognisable.
Another surprising and pleasing feature was the number of visitors. Christchurch were well represented; might one, without offence and knowing the characters concerned, say that Dunedin made up in clangour for its lack of numbers! Masterton, Napier, New Plymouth, Wanganui and Palmerston North were other places that one saw on name tags, not forgetting, of course, Dick from Northland and the large contingent from Auckland.
Unfortunately for the host club, their President, Rosa, had mumps in the family, and their delegate, Dexter, also had sickness amongst the younger fry. This rather threw events out of gear and meant that those on the spot had to do some rearranging without knowing when or whether they would have the people on the ground when they expected them. That events, in the circumstances, went as well as they did is a tribute to the improvisation of Perc. and Doug in the main, and those other Wellington members who were there to back them up.
First event on the programme was the executive meeting of the New Zealand Sunbathing Association, the executive comprising the three national officers and delegates from the clubs. An official report on this meeting will be given elsewhere in this issue; suffice it to say that the meeting was an agreeable one and harmonious. One should also mention the application of Southland Sun and Health Club in Invercargill to join the Association - another club to swell our numbers is a great encouragement.
In the evening we had been prepared to have films and slides in place of the Wellington Sun & Health Society's concert party which had been arranged for this night. However, we were all delighted that Rosa, the leading lady, could tear herself away long enough to lend her presence to the proceedings and, my, my, what a presence! General verdict was that this was a rattling good show and congratulations were well deserved for the Wellingtonians who put it on and not forgetting Bill from Kaurimu, who demonstrated his ability on guitar and harmonica.
Next day was memorable for the tenikoit matches for the Perc. Cousins Trophy. As Wanganui were not represented by their usual team this meant that everyone else had a chance for a change! The honours went to Auckland Outdoor Health Club represented by Norman and Jock. In the evening films and slides were shown in the local hail where we had been the previous night.
The final day proved quite a full but enjoyable one. At the suggestion of Kaurimu, a discussion session was held in the morning, and proved to be a great success - so much so, in fact, that it was continued in the evening. If the Editor receives a demand for a summary of these discussions and the views generally agreed on, this will gladly be written up for the next issue. Suffice it to say for the present that the general airing of views on several matters that have exercised the minds of committee members, in particular, and other club members, was a worthwhile innovation which, it is to be hoped will be continued at future Rallies. The discussion session was held in the clubhouse, as the weather was, as they say, inclement and, of course, who should arrive then but the Press. Let it be chronicled that several noble souls answered the call for volunteers to strip and dunk themselves in the creek and generally look as though they thought nudism was a good thing. The subsequent photos in the 'Evening Post' were a good reward, even if the pool dunking was found to have been unnecessary.
The business session was hold in the afternoon. As Dexter, who was to have chaired it was called away on business, his place was taken by Gerald. Reports were received from Perc. and Stewart on their activities, the gist of them being that nothing succeeds like success, but that's no reason to be complacent.
Ken, who was the official delegate of the N.Z. Sunbathing Association at the International Congress of the INF/FNI at Woburn Abbey in England, gave a lighthearted and witty account of his experiences; particularly memorable was his hilarious account of trying to run a business meeting in three languages.
The report of the executive meeting of the Association was read out, this including the proposed officers for the following year. All were adopted. Proposals by the Executive which involved clubs in extra expenditure could only be referred to the clubs for agreement or otherwise by a certain date and it was hoped that these matters would receive their attention without delay. The venue of the next National Rally was fixed at the Auckland Outdoor Health Club's grounds and the dates: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, January 1st. 2nd. and 3rd. Further details regarding this are given elsewhere in this issue.
A discussion was held regarding the Review, its function, distribution and so on. The meeting finally agreed to recommend to all clubs that subscription to the Review be made mandatory for all members, either s part of, or in addition to their subscriptions. Only if the Review was fully supported by members of the movement in New Zealand could we reasonably try to seek support outside our ranks.
The evening's entertainment started with a continuation of the discussion that had been broken short by the visit of the Press in the morning. This was followed by a sing-song for which Bill of Kaurimu provided the music. As the request to do this was only sprung on him at the last moment, he acquitted himself very well, and it's also to I hoped that an event like this which, one could say, brings to a head the good fellowship that is generated at every Rally, will become a permanent feature.
The official three days were over; several visitors accepted Wellington's generous offer of hospitality and stayed on longer. All agreed on the value of this annual get-together and looked forward to the next one.
Gerald.
OVERHEARD AT THE RALLY...
"Don't they have sun in Auckland?"
"Is there a Wellingtonian in the house?"
"Perc., have you got any sunburn lotion in the canteen? One of the kids is badly burned."
"No, we didn't expect it would be needed."
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'MAINLANDERS' PLEASE NOTE.
This will be held in the grounds of Auckland Outdoor Health Club (Inc), 15 miles outside Auckland. The dates are 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. of January, 1960.
We hope that all those who can do so will decide to make Auckland their holiday area next summer. We can provide camping facilities with your own cars alongside your tents, and, we hope, power laid on near the tents. City water is laid on, as will be hot showers; there will also be a clubhouse with accommodation for those who want it, and we shall be able to throw aside the odd crust for those folk who come by air and cannot bring their cooking gear with them.
The International Grand Prix will be run on 9th January, we understand, and there is, of course, a full holiday programme, particulars of which will reach you in an issue of the Review nearer Rally date.
The object of this note is to remind folk from the South Island that they should make ferry bookings right now. You make that booking and get up here and we'll look after you from there on. In the meanwhile if you have any queries about whet you can do in Auckland other than coming out to the club, or if you want to know anything else, drop a line to: Rally Organiser, C.P.O. Box 2702, Auckland.
EVERYONE IS INVITED TO SPEND THEIR NEXT HOLIDAYS IN AUCKLAND. ALTHOUGH RALLY DATES ARE FIXED THE A.O.H.C. GROUNDS WILL BE OPEN TO MEMBERS OF CLUBS AND OTHER GENUINE NATURISTS WHENEVER THEY WISH TO COME.
Gerald,
President, A.O.H.C.
ITEMS OF INTEREST FROM THE OFFICIAL BUSINESS OF THE 7TH NATIONAL RALLY.
MOVIES.
It was agreed that a formal motion be presented to the next Rally recommending that all movie films taken at National Rallies be national property and that they be held at National Office with clubs having the right to hire them.
DELEGATES' AUTHORITY.
Clubs are to be asked to give their delegates full authority to make decisions on their behalf at National Rallies.
GROUND FEES.
It was agreed that ground fees for National Rallies be left to the discretion of the host club, an no fixed amount
be made.
VISITORS' FEES.
Rather than any set charge be made to members visiting club grounds, the idea of a donation box being available was thought to be desirable.
CAPITATION FEES.
Clubs are asked to consider raising the fee paid to maintain National Office, from 1/- to 2/- per adult town member.
NATIONAL OFFICERS.
The N.Z.S.A. Executive will now consist of:-
National Organiser.......Perc. Cousins.
Review Editor............Stewart.
P.R.0....................Gerald Wakely.
Overseas Correspondent...Gerald Wakely.
1969 Rally Organiser.....Colin.
Legal Advisor............Russell.
and one delegate from each of the 8 clubs in New Zealand.
NATIONAL NATURIST REVIEW.
Stewart, in his report, pointed out that of a total of 269 copies distributed quarterly, 30 went overseas, 4 to Press and Library, 55 individual subscribers, and only 180 to clubs. This emphasised the necessity for a larger circulation, particularly within the clubs. A 100% membership subscription is the goal for 1959, and all are urged to do their best to increase sales.
P.R.O.
Members are requested to watch their newspapers, etc. and should any articles need correction or comment, notify Gerald AT ONCE. enclosing clipping, name, date, and address of publication, and send to Box 2702, Auckland.
IVAN MOWLEM TROPHY.
A subcommittee appointed to prepare rules governing the award of a new trophy has approved of the following:-
1). The trophy shall be awarded annually at each National Rally.
2). It shall be awarded to the club gaining the greatest number of members who join during the year from 1st. January to 31st. December in proportion to the population of their town as recorded at the last census. Where there is more than one club to a town, their joint total shall be taken and in the event of this winning, each club shall share the trophy equally.
3). By "members" it is meant town members only; they shall be over 21 years of age, a husband and wife shall count as two and they shall be financial. Any member who joins and leaves the club for any purpose during the year shall not be included.
4). Where a person transfers from one club to another he/she shall count as a new member to the club to which he/she transfers, providing that he/she becomes a financial member of that club and subject to the other requirements in clause 3 above.
5). Irrespective of the comings and goings of members during the year, this ward applies ONLY to those people who actually become members during the period under review.
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The Australian magazine "Solar" has definitely ceased publication and now we have received word that the Canadian "Sunbathing for Health" is ceasing publication in March. Increasing cost and decreasing circulation are the contributing factors.
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We were pleased to receive a Christmas card from Ray and Claire with the best wishes to the many friends they made while in N.Z. They were presenting their act at the Moulin Rouge in Paris but hoped to be home for Christmas.
We are continually receiving requests, for pen friends, from all over the world. We do not encourage this sort of thing, as we seldom have any means of checking the enquirers. However, if there should be anyone interested in taking a chance, let us know.
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Calling You:
International Naturist Federation
Wien 64, Postf. 121, Osterreich.
Help the International Naturist Co-Operation: Get your INF/FNI Passport now - whether you need it for your next travel to naturist camps abroad or not. If you go abroad you must have it, but you can contribute considerably to the furtherance of the work of INF/FNI if you obtain the INF/FNI Passport at any rate. For you personally the INF/FNI Passport is the evidence of your membership of a World Organisation. In getting the International Naturists' Passport you will support our work personally.
Write today to your club or to your national federation and demand the INF/FNI Passport. The INF/FNI Badge should be worn by every active naturist all over the world. Ask for this, too!
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AUSTRALIAN SNIPPET.
This summer has been quite warm, with one heat-wave spell of over a week, during which the temp. reached 110' one day! Needless to say, no one felt like doing too much work, although I don't seem to notice much difference in any temps. above 95'. During such weather, most people go down to the beaches after sunset, and many sleep the night there. However, finding any deserted beaches is becoming harder and harder, as there are now no beaches within 50 miles of Adelaide which have not had the surrounding land chopped up for holiday shack allotments by hungry estate agents.
Once again this Xmas I headed over to Melbourne, and spent a few days at Sunray, where I experienced the usual warm welcome from Jim and Reta. No doubt you will have read in the Jan 21st. "People", an amusing piece of hooey about the nudist boom in Australia - "what goes on behind those high fences". It's claimed that there are 66,000 registered members here, and since there are two converts for every member, that makes 200,000 naturists in Australia, not forgetting 40,000 in New Zealand! The writer has obviously never even been inside Woodlands.
Sunray recently had some trouble getting rid of some intruders, so promptly called in the local police, who were only too pleased to be of assistance any time when required. That, combined with an excellent write-up from Truth, after two reporters had unknowingly been welcomed as new members early last year, should mean that Sunray has arrived!
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It is with regret that we learn of the passing of Ray Martin, after a long and painful illness. Ray has been the driving force of the Auckland Sun Club for many years, and his loss will be regretted not only by the members of his club, but by all who have been associated with him in the movement in New Zealand.
To Alma, and his family, we extend our deepest sympathy in their loss.
Auckland Outdoor Health Club Inc. (Members.) Box 2702, Auckland.
We held our own Rally in Auckland on Anniversary weekend, the last in January, and very successful it was, too. We were happy to welcome Joan and Arthur and family from Hamilton, Dick from Northland, and a party over from Kaurimu on the Sunday afternoon. Colin arranged games and activities for children of all ages on the Sunday afternoon and a barbecue was held in the evening. This same weekend saw the first visit to the club of several new members. Organisation for the National Rally next January is already in hand and a separate paragraph about this appears elsewhere in this issue. Our own Rally was well covered in 'Truth' whose factual and sympathetic reporting was such appreciated. It is possibly a comment that indicates acceptance of our movement in the community neither of our metropolitan dailies considered we merited a story, although each was approached. Development of the grounds presses on. Major projects, each handled by a separate 'team' under an appointed leader, are: clubhouse, beautification of the grounds and clearing of camping and parking areas in an even more convenient and central position than they have been hitherto, and erection of a separate canteen.
Kaurimu Sun Club Inc. (Members.) Box 15, Glen Eden, Auckland.
Auckland Sun Club.(Proprietory.) Box 2925, Auckland.
Northern Nudist Park. "Dick" Whittington, Saies, Northland.
Waikato Sun Club. (Members.) Box 4032, Hamilton East.
Gisborne Sun Club.(Members.) c/- Box 6359, Wellington.
Wanganui Sun Club. (Members.) Box 410, Wanganui.
Wellington Sun & Health Society Inc. (Members.) Box 6359, Wellington.
Despite gloomy forebodings, the grounds were fully equipped, ready for the National Rally and everything was in ship-shape order when the guests began to arrive. We can now relax, conscious of the fact that it was a job well done, thanks to the efforts of the few and the cooperation of the weatherman.
As part of the "relaxing" programme, it is now our intention to push ahead with the swimming pool and installation of electricity. Both these important works have been held up, but soon we hope to be able to report progress in both departments.
Canterbury Sun & Health Club Inc. (Members.) Box 1823, Christchurch.
The club has now been registered as an Incorporated Society, and work continues on the grounds. Our fence building is nearing completion - full honours to Norman, whose motto appears to be 'nothing is impossible'. An untiring worker himself, he rallies his helpers and makes miracles look easy. One man remarked to the writer last Sunday, "Veil, I shall be glad to go back to work and rest tomorrow - I only shovel coal for a living."
Thanks to Trevor the clubhouse is almost finished. All through the winter, he has worked almost single handed on the interior, end the result is looking most satisfactory. The walls are all lined with plaster-board, cupboards put up, sink-unit in place, and a member who is a bricklayer has built an open fireplace, faced with Oamaru stone. This is in several colours and effect is very pleasing.
Otago Sun & Health Club. (Members.) Box 2058, South Dunedin.
We're having a quite successful season in the Club down here. The weather gods have favoured us very much all through the spring and summer, and most members have got a good tan and had one or two burnings. Yesterday and last night were cold and stormy in Dunedin but today has been fine and we've had a lovely day at the site.
During the last week we've obtained three new families as members and with the addition earlier of another family who'd dropped out for a couple of years and have rejoined, we've had quite a boost to our membership. Today there were 41 adults and children at the site. We have a great collection of toddlers, so we will have to get busy and build a paddling pool for them.
Our pool has been very popular during the hot weather. Our first games court has been in use for tenikoit playing, although it is not quite all levelled yet. The footbridge over the creek has been widened.
Southern Sun and Health Club. 4 Tummell St., Invercargill North.
The last issue of the Review just missed the exciting news of the formation of what we believe to be the world's most southern club. Laurie, of Otago Sun and Health Club is largely responsible, and hence is the first President. Membership at present comprises 4 married couples and 6 young boys. The club grounds belong to Tom and Rose, Tom also being Secretary/Treasurer, and are very well screened, with ample room for sunbathing, games court and children's play centre. This will be used until a club property can be found. Reports indicate that the weather is hotter than Wellington. No icebergs or polar bears in spite of the latitude.
Advertising in two local papers has resulted in some applications for membership. Best wishes for the future from the New Zealand movement.
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STOP PRESS!!!
Wanganui Sun Club.
Work has just started on a new pool, 30' x 18' next to the existing splash pool.
Wellington Sun and Health Society.
The long awaited power has now been connected in the clubhouse and canteen.
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Noted:-
Obituary: Ray Martin (ASC)
7th Rally Wellington - 1958
8th Rally Auckland - 1960
