#  51 - June 1969 

[The New Zealand Naturist - Winter] Editor: Perc Cousins (Pages: 44 - 30c)

Contents:-

Editorial
News From All Over the World - Norway, Czechoslovakia, INF World Survey, Guadeloupe, Italy
A Simple Initiation by Leon Gilbert
History: Naturism in NZ - Part 2 - by Perc Cousins
NZSA Notes - 18th National Rally, National PRO, Overseas Correspondent, Guest Editorials, Photography Advice, Natural Pictures, Warning, Mums and Dads, Nudist Magazines Available, Club Newsletters
Recognition from USA
All Things are Possible - a poem by John Hedley-Brown
Funny People with Funny Ideas - reprinted from Massey's "Chaff"
History: Gisborne Club helps Crippled Children by Patsy Jeory
Readers Have Their Say
Quote of the Month
Free Beaches in New Zealand by Perc Cousins
Talking to Women with Joan Treanor
Competition
What Makes a Nudist?
The Junior Section with Joan Treanor
Health in the Sun
The Naturist - a poem by Gwen
Talking About Books
That Trip Overseas
News from the Clubs (10)
Directory: (15)

Noted

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	NEW ZEALAND SUNBATHING ASSOCIATION INC. P.O. BOX 6359, WELLINGTON, N.Z. PUBLISHED QUARTERLY MARCH, JUNE, SEPTEMBER, DECEMBER
	ARTICLES AND PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INVITED

A    VALUABLE    CONTRIBUTION    TOWARDS    A    BETTER    WORLD

 

THE N.Z. NATURIST
Editor		Perc. W. Cousins
Business Manager		Doug. Cousins
Copy Preparation		John Hedley-Brown
Advertising Representative		Barry Hill
Cartoons		Slim

 

Cover picture by Gordon Davis was taken at the last International Naturist Congress held in the USA

NEW ZEALAND SUNBATHING ASSOCIATION INC.

President		Perc. W. Cousins, Wellington
Vice-Presidents		Jock Shoolbread, Auckland Jack Knowles, Auckland Norman Bell, Napier Ivan Mowlem, Wanganui
Secretary - Treasurer		Doug. Cousins, Wellington
Public Relations Officer		Gavin Robieson, Wellington
Youth Organiser		Joan Treanor, Christchurch
Women's Representative		Joan Treanor, Christchurch
Overseas Correspondent		David Jenkinson, Wellington
Delegates representing all clubs

 

Enquiries regarding naturist clubs or any matters concerning naturism in New Zealand
or overseas should be made to the association at its office

NEW ZEALAND SUNBATHING ASSOCIATION Inc.

P.O. Box 6359, Wellington, New Zealand

APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP OF CLUBS SHOULD BE MADE DIRECT TO THE CLUBS

 

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COMPLACENCY

In my travels around the clubs in NZ, I have gathered the impression from several members that the degree of acceptance of our movement here is believed to be far greater than is actually the case. While not wishing to underestimate this fact, I feel I must point out that we still have a long way to go.

Admittedly, we do enjoy an acceptance, particularly from official circles, the Press and the like, largely because, over the years, we have been able to justify the claims that we are a respectable body of people and have continued to maintain a high moral code in all of our activities. Here again, we have proved that many people are sympathetic towards our ideals and some have joined our ranks as a consequence. But by comparison, there are still lots of people who know little or nothing about us and who retain the belief that we are dangerous, moronic or a little mad.

To illustrate what I mean, here are two examples, largely to shake any complacency that you may possess. The Evening Post, Wellington's evening newspaper, runs a popular column, in which a minister of religion answers readers' questions. One query recently, that rated a prominent headline, read: "Why do Nudists Behave the Way They Do?" While the reply was carefully non-committal, it does illustrate the typical ignorance of just what we are and for what we stand.

Another example, that almost left me with my mouth wide open, was a reply from the editor of "NZ Woman". Joan Treanor wrote a fine article with a direct appeal to women and it was sent to the editor with a covering note, a free copy of this magazine and a nude photograph of Joan to illustrate her article. As we were treading on new ground, we selected a most innocuous picture of her, side on, with her arms covering the upper part of her body. Result: the article was returned as unsuitable, but the picture was retained. After a second request for its return, together with an invoice if it was not returned, it brought forth the curt reply that "the picture and magazine referred to were destroyed as indecent". My regret was that the editor operates from Dunedin and not my home town, Wellington.

Those examples are only two, but they do give some indication of the sheer ignorance existent in some folks' minds. Our magazine is doing a "terrific" job in breaking down this misunderstanding, as is provable by the letters we receive at this office continually, but it does indicate that a lot is left to club members themselves. Not all are willing or able to be openly associated with the nudist movement, only because of this state of ignorance referred to, but surely it leaves a lot who can and should do more to correct outsiders' one-sided opinions.

Think it over and next time an opportunity presents itself, have the courage of your convictions and speak up.

- PERC. W. COUSINS

Doug. Cousins 

• PEOPLE OF ALL TYPES, AGES AND SEX CAN COME TOGETHER IN
HARMONY AND HAPPINESS

  

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NEWS & VIEWS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD

 

INTERNATIONAL NATURIST FEDERATION                

The only club in this country has taken its first and most important step by purchasing land in the south-eastern part of the country. This purchase has drained all their financial resources and for some time they will have to watch their outgoings closely.

It is pleasing to note that a club is now reorganized in this unhappy country, made more unpleasant by the occupying Russian forces camping at their usual meeting places. The building of private saunas goes on despite the shortage of building materials. Foreign relations have also been established.

This report, completed on 30th April,1968, gives a brief outline, in facts and figures, the standing of the nudist movement in most countries of the world affiliated to the INF. France leads with 192 clubs, Germany 190, USA 90, although Germany leads with 51,280 members, France 29,582, USA 10,669. NZ is one of the several countries with 100% affiliation of its clubs and we are well listed with national trophies. Surprise has been expressed that we have no grounds on the sea coast, for France has 11. NZ has what is termed luxury clubs, numbering 4, while USA has 42 and France next with 12.

In proportion to our population and area, the report indicates that we are doing very well and are certainly more than holding our own.

Glen Eden Sidelights reports three free beaches with excellent hotel accommodations in the French West Indies. They are controlled by the local tourist office.

In September last, a new section Triest of the Union Naturiste Italiani was founded and made legal by a public notary. The new association practises naturism mostly at nearby beaches in Yugoslavia. Sections on boating, youth, mountaineering, naturist skiing, etc., are planned.

 

  

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The following is a true personal experience that took place in the writer's own club in England

A WELL educated young man became keenly interested in naturism, studied the subject seriously and made energetic efforts to join a club. He became an invaluable worker of our club, besides being an asset by his keen intellect, reasoned approach to problems, with a sense of humour and a pleasant personality. Then he met a charming young lady, attractive and equally intelligent and talented, with a typical upper middle-class outlook on most of life's aspects.

This young man hoped to become engaged to the girl he came to admire the better he got to know her. He did not want to give up his naturist activities and pondered the best way to put his views clearly and reasonably to his girl friend and to learn her views and win her practical support. He decided that practical experience would be better than any argument and decided to put the matter to the test.

Choosing a suitable, pleasant and sunny afternoon, he promised just a surprise outing and they set out together in the car. Only telling the young lady that he was keenly interested in an outdoor club which he hoped that she too, would enjoy and find the other members as friendly as he had done, he added that it was a rather special kind of club. It would be much easier for her to see what went on than try to tell her all about it, and this is what they were going to do on this outing.

It has to be remembered this was a tactful young man who had decided this direct introduction to naturism would be the best way to initiate the young lady of his choice. He had chosen a really pleasant day and one when he knew the club attendance would not be too crowded.

A. Leon Gilbert 

• "SHE UNDRESSED WITHOUT HESITATION, CAME OUT TO JOIN HER FRIEND ENTIRELY UNCONCERNED ABOUT HER NUDITY OR IN SEEING HIM NUDE AS WELL"

Arrived at the club grounds, he took the girl straight into the very pleasant setting. Waved cheerily to the members who were present and, of course, enjoying the benefits of "social group nakedness" and went straight to the changing rooms. He showed the young lady where she undressed and said he would be waiting for her when she was ready. She said afterwards that at that time she hardly gave the matter a moment's thought. She had seen the lovely setting of the club's grounds, it was a warm summer's day, the other people she had briefly seen were quite naturally sunbathing naked, playing games, swimming in the pool together and it just seemed natural and the right thing to do. She undressed without hesitation, came out to join her friend entirely unconcerned about her nudity or in seeing him nude as well. She was introduced to the others present without the least embarrassment and was soon joining the activities with great enjoyment.

They became keen members of the club and later were engaged, then married, and eventually brought their young family to the club as often as possible. This true experience worked for this particular young couple. It might not for others. Another time it may be possible to tell of a case when the lady found it all a huge joke and did not join a club. •

 

 

  

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DOMINION PRESIDENT

The first part of this history dealt with the very beginning of the movement in NZ and reached the stage when the first few clubs were established. We now read of the founding of more clubs, the beginning of national rallies and our discussions with the authorities.

IN 1950, the Wellington Sun and Health Society barely preceded the Wanganui Sun Club and groups began to build up in a number of areas in different parts of the country. Working now as National Organizer of Naturists in NZ, I was kept very busy, for enquiries began to come in from all over the country and other parts of the world. Every letter was answered and although quite a number were obviously from undesirables, there were enough genuine ones to begin to show definite progress. Leaders were appointed in every new area possible and as the numbers increased, groups formed and some subsequently became clubs.

The Helios Club was formed in Palmerston North and in 1951, the Canterbury Sun and Health Club in Christchurch had organized, at that time giving us some six clubs and about a dozen areas with some form of representation. In 1954, Wellington bought Fiveacres, after two previous purchases, which were more speculations than anything else.

One of our pioneers, Norman Murray, anxious to get a club started in the Waikato, bought a large property near Raglan, put a young couple in a cottage on the property, and called it The Western Shores Sun Club. This should have succeeded, for the property was suitable, but something went wrong and it folded up, leaving the Waikato where it was.

As a means of bringing some of these people together and giving some their first opportunity of mixing with others, a Rally on a national scale was attempted in 1953. Although only 38 adults attended at the grounds of the Wanganui Sun Club, the enthusiasm was so high that it was voted an unqualified success. As a result, National Rallies have become an annual event on the NZ scene, far exceeding the wildest hopes of those distant days.

Whereas two days were plenty then, we now require five full days to include all the activities and 200-300 members on the grounds at one time is the accepted thing. See NZ Naturist No. 39 for a full and detailed account of these Rallies right from the first one attempted. It was at the 2nd National Rally that my work was recognized and the office made official. Up to this point I had been paying all expenses out of my own pocket, but now it was necessary to expect those who were benefiting to ease this burden and so donations were invited. Grateful members and clubs soon came forward and assisted.

Douglas F. Lyons  • AN EARLY PICTURE TYPICAL OF THE PERIOD

The 3rd National Rally, jointly sponsored by the Kaurimu Club and AOHC and held at Kaurimu's present grounds saw some 56 adults present and for the first time in our brief history, movies were taken of the activities and the Press invited. Following this Rally and the excellent publicity gained, we were able to negotiate with Kerridge-Odeon for the public screening of the American nudist film, "The Garden of Eden". This was not done without some difficulty, but the Appeal Board eventually granted a release without any excisions, and the screening of this film saw the beginning of a definite upward trend, for Christchurch membership soared and the original six acres of Pineglades was bought and our 7th club was formed in Invercargill.

The year 1956 saw a lot of activity, commencing with Truth billboards all over the country referring to snoopers looking in on the next National Rally in Wanganui. In actual fact it was only a couple of boys up a nearby tree, but it occasioned a lot of interest in our activities.

We also received a long distance call from a Sydney newspaper wanting information and an offer from a theatre manager to take a 35 mm film of our activities for public screening at his theatre.

Although we had unsuccessfully approached the NZ Broadcasting Service for time on the radio, we had an announcer on the grounds who taped comments from some of our ladies, which was later put over the air in Wanganui.

This was also the first Rally when the South Island was represented and in addition to a National PRO being appointed, Waikato and Gisborne had formed groups.

It was in 1956 that the Government appointed what was then known as the Mazengarb Committee to investigate the prevailing juvenile delinquency problems and bring down a report. When after some months they submitted a report on their findings, nudist literature was claimed to be harmful to adolescents and could contribute to delinquency.

Taking their cue from this statement, the police throughout the country made a swoop on the bookshops and ordered the removal of all nudist magazines and books. This represented a severe setback and as we knew the statement to be incorrect, action was called for.

Consequently I led a deputation of four parents to discuss the matter with the Hon. Mr Marshall, who was at that time Minister of Justice. We spent an hour with him and a departmental official, with whom we had dealings later, and we received a most sympathetic hearing. After further discussions with the Justice Department an agreement was signed whereby nudist magazines were reinstated in the shops and our aims were officially recognized and accepted. This has been officially confirmed since by the present Minister, the Hon. Mr Hanan.

1957 was not without incident either, for The Standard, which has since ceased publication, published a sensational article that also had billboard heading, linking the Wellington club with nude bathers in the Hutt River. The editor apologized and printed a disclaimer issued by the PRO.

Further, as editors of newspapers refused to accept nudist advertising, a discussion with the secretary of The Newspaper Proprietors' Assn proved that this was the policy of the individual papers concerned, and not a blanket ruling by the Association. Since then, through maintaining a high moral code, we have enjoyed the best of relations with the Press and much helpful and factual publicity has resulted, especially in areas where the Press has been invited to visit the grounds and speak to members.

• A PICTURE CLAIMED TO BE NEARLY 100 YEARS OLD
DOES ANYONE RECOGNISE THE PLACE OF THE SWIMMERS?

Another first this year was when the incumbent PRO and myself addressed a businessmen's association on the subject of nudism. Here again we have since spoken to Lions Clubs, Rotary, Chambers of Commerce, Jaycee, etc., and have been accorded the same courtesy expected of any other society.

During 1957, the Collector of Customs in Auckland seized a number of overseas nudist magazines ordered by members. Once again, we took up the battle and persuaded members to write to the Department and object to the seizures. After personal representations, the matter was eventually dropped and the magazines forwarded to their owners, thus avoiding court cases and much undesirable publicity. A further agreement was signed following this, giving us much more latitude, by allowing members to import magazines provided they were channelled through the NZSA, proving that genuine nudists were being accepted in the scheme of things. (To be concluded)

 

 

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Notes

from the

New Zealand

Sunbathing Association Inc.

 

THE 18th NATIONAL RALLY

What happens at a National Rally?

You meet nudists from all over the country.

You can learn lots from the experience of others.

You can enjoy first class facilities of the host club.

You can join in with or watch highly competitive games between top teams seeking national trophies.

You can enjoy something every evening, in fact, have the time of your lives, every moment. It's the sort of holiday no one should miss.

And it costs you only 35 cents a day ... the cheapest holiday ever.

Ask anyone who's been to one!

See you at AOHC, Auckland, 1st to 4th January, 1970. Full details later, but pencil in your bookings NOW!

NATIONAL PRO

Gavin Robieson, Wellington, is our public relations officer, and would appreciate newspaper cuttings and any other information needing comment or correction. Include name of source, address and date of item. Write to P.O. Box 6359, Wellington.

 

OVERSEAS CORRESPONDENT

David Jenkinson, Wellington, is keeping NZ on the world map. Keep him supplied with information you feel would be appreciated overseas. Write to P.O. Box 6359, Wellington.

 

GUEST EDITORIALS

While the editor is happy to continue writing the editorials, he nevertheless feels that a change of style would be appreciated by readers. Now that we have four vice-presidents and other national officers, here is a way to relieve the editor and give the readers a change.

 

PHOTOGRAPHY ADVICE

As previously announced, the NZSA can offer free advice on photographic problems by a member who has experimented with all branches of the art. Just drop a line to "Photography", P.O. Box 6359, Wellington, and remember a stamped self-addressed envelope.

 

NATURAL PICTURES

It is hoped to include some pictures without retouching in the next issue, but it is intended to seek official opinion, if for no other purpose than to give confidence to our retailers. It will take a little time to use all the pictures we have on hand that have already been retouched.

 

WARNING

All readers are warned to have nothing to do with Old Press Soutan and Omnia Press, both of Sweden, dealers in pornography.

MUMS AND DADS

In each issue we publish a competition with cash prizes, some of them intended for our young people. Do you always make sure your children read this magazine? They should you know.

 

NUDIST MAGAZINES AVAILABLE

In addition to the English Sun and Health, referred to elsewhere in this issue, we are still able to supply several other back issues of magazines. Solar, our Australian contemporary, is selling at 15 cents to clear, Health and Efficiency at 20 cents.

 

CLUB NEWSLETTERS

More and more clubs are putting out their own newsletters and they are not only extremely interesting, but some are quite informative in a general way. The NZSA appreciates the regular copies sent to this office and suggests more club interchange of newsletters. Then we can all benefit. Good work folks.

 

PERC. COUSINS TRUST FUND

This fund, which is open for donations at all times, is steadily building up to provide a sum of money for any worthy cause within the movement. We are grateful to the following donors: Last balance $777.05; Rally collection $25.60; DHF, Hamilton $7.60; Club levy 0.25; Investment interest $5.34; Penworthy, Hamilton $1.60; Ted Dye, Kowhai Club $1.41; Miscellaneous 0.40; Total $819.25. Thanks everybody. •

 

 

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RECOGNITION FROM USA

The Editor

Reporting our recent negotiations with the police and Indecent Publications Tribunal, the ASA Bulletin, the official monthly journal of the American Sunbathing Assn, an organization big enough to employ 5 persons on the permanent staff, with an increase during the summer to cope with the extra work, in the Central Office, titles the article, "New Twist to New Zealand Censorship", and asks "Could it happen in the United States?"

After explaining our dealings with the authorities on the matter of questionable magazines, one paragraph reads: "The New Zealand Naturist is a pocket-sized magazine circulated in New Zealand and Australia. It contains no overt appeal for newsstand sales. Its articles lean heavily on legitimate club news and avoid the gimmicks and sensationalism of the American "nudist" press. Its illustrations are accurate portrayals of camp and association activities and offer no appeal to prurient interests.

"The NZSA says that its magazine attracts only readers who are genuinely interested in nudism. 'We are now enjoying a good sale in New Zealand and would like to find some firm willing to distribute it in Europe and other parts of the world,' declares the NZSA."

This item is made all the more interesting when we read in the same issue of a complaint from an ASA reader objecting to some of the pictures in the ASA's own official magazine, Nudism Today, that in the writer's opinion are pornographic in the extreme, some pictures having deteriorated to the display of "obvious models in the throes of sexual ecstasy." He rounds off his blast by sarcastically saying, "Now thousands of non-nudists, mostly male, can drool and slobber over this latest issue of Nudism Today and then start looking for the nearest orgy camp - pardon the slip - nudist camp." •

 

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ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE

JOHN HEDLEY-BROWN

E. Wade 

• "IT'S NATURAL, IT'S HEALTHY, IT'S RELAXING, IT'S IDEAL"

 

 

The councillors all raised their eyes in horror when they heard,

The clerk of works read slowly out the letter, word by word,

In which a group of nudists asked that they may use a beach

On which to demonstrate to all the doctrines which they preach.

'Impossible, unthinkable, disgraceful,' they all cried,

'What would the general public think if such a thing was tried?'

Some blushed, some paled, one felt quite faint, commented some, 'How rude.'

'Just fancy men and women, and children too, all nude.'

'We'll take a vote without delay,' the chairman said. 'For No,

Right hand upraised, but if it's Yes, then loft above will show.'

Up went the rights with one accord, that is, they all but one,

A left whose owner disagreed and said, 'You know, it's fun.'

This one dissentient was the mayor, a much respected man,

Who raised his robes of office up and showed his lovely tan.

'It's natural, it's healthy, it's relaxing, it's ideal.

It's morally improving when our bodies we reveal.'

Such was his personality, their biased minds he swayed,

Whereon they all decided to vote yes, quite unafraid.

So now there is a lovely beach whereon a nudist band

Of happy carefree people bask, unfettered, on the sand.

 

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UNFORTUNATELY today, many people have the wrong attitude towards the human body. Victorian, and similar, ideas on this general subject, persist in many quarters: in individuals, in organizations and in legislation. Some consider the human body to be a rather dirty, nasty, or indecent thing, parts of which it is not nice or proper to reveal, at any time. This is of course, an unreasonable and completely untrue sentiment. At times when shown in certain distinct attitudes it may be true, but this is a different matter.

It is not surprising so many of us have the warped ideas mentioned above. Almost from the time we are born our doting parents and others start to instill such misconceptions in us. It can then be a little difficult to throw them off in later years. We should all realize what a perfect creation is the human body, which should be revered and admired, not despised and ridiculed.

The way things are now, money is of prime importance and we all tend to do things in order to obtain more. Some of us go a little further in this than others. In this context we remember those out to profit from the human body, and a frustrated maladjusted populace. To glorify the female body is good, to exploit it is wrong. Many people profit from providing strip-tease entertainment, or distributing revealing or obscene photographs and magazines. A demand for these things exists because of the way we are, but a society could occur that did not have these heavy demands. It's simply a matter of more people having a more sensible and natural outlook, with less of the outdated prudish ideas of past decades.

On the other hand there are people who look upon nudity, or nakedness itself as unimportant. They see in social nudity a better way of life, with numerous advantages. In many cases, for their own protection, they form themselves into clubs, with proper rules concerning membership and activities. Members of official or unofficial clubs come from all walks of life, and are perfectly normal individuals. The tragedy is they are often abused or ridiculed by society at large. Often this is because of incorrect knowledge of the nudist movement and nudist activities. We tend to equate a lack of clothing with sex. This is wrong. Naturists do not object to wearing clothes, but do oppose the use of clothing as an excuse for despising and degrading the body beneath. Naturists are not anti-clothing.

There are over a dozen such clubs in New Zealand and something like 80 in Great Britain. Naturist clubs and facilities occur in other countries too: Germany, Austria, Yugoslavia, Denmark, USA, Australia, etc. In France there are 80 naturist holiday centres, and 8000 camping and caravan sites. Such names as the Ile du Levant, Montalivet, Corsica, Klingberg Park are familiar to nudists all over the world. In such places, one finds swimming pools, tennis courts, shops, restaurants and ultra-modern baches and flats. There are naturist beaches and hotels; and in Great Britain an association promotes naturist holidays abroad. Each year 15,000 visitors go to a 200 acre naturist holiday centre in Austria.

The support for and standing, of such places, is high, and increasingly large numbers of people are finding in them what they want in this otherwise hurly-burly life. One shy young English girl went to one of the "free" beaches in Denmark during her holidays, instead of the usual Blackpool. After a slow beginning, she adopted the ways of this beach and remarked afterwards that "Blackpool in a bikini would never be quite the same again".

More New Zealanders could also benefit from a similar experience. It is unfortunate that it is so expensive to establish suitable grounds, but it can be done. Naturist beaches should also be established. Gradually we can build up a community which accepts the naked body, by educating the public and training the young along these lines.

Ignorance about the body, guilt feelings about it; this is the cause of much human misery. Social nudity or naturism can, in large part overcome or avoid this. In America we find psychologists encouraging it in certain of their classes, as part of the treatment and rehabilitation of mentally sick patients. A number of physical benefits are attributed to naturism, but probably its greatest success is in the sphere of mental health. It is up to us to foster, encourage and promote this idea, and the existing naturist organizations. Men or women will never regret having been associated with naturism.

Doug. Cousins 

• IGNORANCE ABOUT THE BODY, GUILT FEELINGS ABOUT IT;
THIS IS THE CAUSE OF MUCH HUMAN MISERY

Earlier I mentioned the distribution of photographic material. In New Zealand and some other countries this is strictly controlled; and to some extent, this is correct. Anything perverted or indecent is detrimental, but a lot of material could not be so classed. Even lack of taste is not pornography. Slowly we are coming to accept and appreciate work of artistic merit, but we can go a lot further.

A picture is not pornographic just because it deals with sex, is erotically stimulating, portrays nudes, or produces a bad effect in a person who sees it. Thus it may be difficult to differentiate between what is obscene and what is not, but it is dangerous to be too inflexible in interpretation. There is nothing obscene in a photograph simply because it shows the female breasts, pubic hair, or the male or female sexual organs. Yet so often we find the law requiring such pictures to be retouched before publication. In most cases, the original photograph would corrupt no one, and the defacement of it is unethical.

Who could deny the merit in the original prints by such men as 'Roye', and Jean Straker? Of the many unretouched photographs seen in overseas naturist publications and photograph collections, I have never seen one that would deprave or corrupt. Certainly there is a large market for this unretouched material; there always is for something one is usually told one may not have. When one always has access to it, and one is properly brought up and educated, these photographs are not corrupting. •

 

 

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by Patsy Jeory

A CHEQUE for forty dollars was recently presented to the Crippled Children Society, Poverty Bay, East Coast branch by the Gisborne Sun Club. This donation was a result of a combined raffle and barn dance run by the club. The other half of the proceeds was put into club funds.

I wonder how many other clubs have tried running a raffle? We had 500 books printed, and sold 475 of them at 5 cents per ticket or 20 cents per book. The prize was a very substantial DINNER, all items donated by club members. To be more accurate, there were the ingredients for many, many dinners, or at least one for a small army.

A Wellington resident, quaintly enough, was the winner. The raffle meant many hours of extra work for our secretary, Doreen, but she bore the brunt cheerfully and all the members sold as many tickets as they could. We found it an excellent way of making ourselves known to the public, and several people became interested as a result. When we applied to the police for the raffle permit, they treated us very courteously and at least two of them expressed the opinion that they thought naturism was a sound and wholesome way of life.

Just as our raffle tickets were printed with Gisborne Sun Club on them, so were the invitations for our Barn Dance. This event was a wonderful success. Rod's lovely big barn was cleared, cleaned and transformed with greenery, Wild West murals, and coloured lights to make the setting for a very gay and lively affair. Many guests wore costumes of country and western style, and a highlight of the evening was a spectacular cabaret ranging from a professional fire-eater (who donated his services) to guitar numbers, songs and square dancing.

A large and luscious supper was prepared and supplied by members. Although it was a wet night, 110 of the 140 invited turned up, and we've had a great many requests for invitations to the next one. Word of mouth is good publicity and we seem to be setting a reasonably firm foundation in the town, by becoming known as a club that is well integrated with the activities of its community.

Although we have not yet secured permanent club grounds, we have our eyes on a totally perfect property. If we can only beg, borrow or steal the big money required... Nevertheless, we meet from time to time at members' homes, and have enjoyed some really glorious club outings at secluded beaches, etc.

Our membership is building up steadily, mostly groups with young children, the naturist parents of tomorrow. So, even though we have not yet purchased an official club property, at least we have not been idle. •

 

 

  

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Readershave their say ... 

 

THAT QUOTE OF THE MONTH AGAIN

I happened to read in the Naturist of the summer 1968 issue, No. 49, Quote of the Month, "We have said many times before, and it deserves repetition: a secret nudist hurts, he doesn't help, the nudist movement.

- Urban Nudist, NO 30".

I am not quite sure what is meant by this remark, but if it means one who believes and practises nudism secretly without being a member of a club, then I think most clubs must bear a certain amount of responsibility for secret nudism. Personally I believe in nudism and practise it with enjoyment on every possible occasion, but I am a widower and am unable to contact a lady who is willing to be my partner and as a result I am debarred from joining a nudist club. Therefore as a direct result of the action taken by practically most nudist clubs, I am compelled, not through choice, but by circumstances of the club's making to be what you term a "secret nudist". I would be most interested in a reply from your association to learn what your views are in regard to these statements.

- JWL, Sydney, Australia

(I gather the reference in the quotation is made to those members who keep their nudist interest secret, and there are many, who, for various reasons, are not prepared to let their affiliation be known. They create suspicion, where there should be trust and consequently, ultimately do more harm to the organization, than good. Clubs not prepared to admit unattached men do not help anybody, for in being so selective, they are probably doing themselves and the movement a disservice. We feel sorry you should be so victimised. - Ed.)

 

STORMING THE BEACHES

As regards your article on storming beaches in NZ, I would like to point out another way, that is if it may not be too silly. Why not let all the children under the age of fifteen do your storming for you under the supervision of adults. I am a nudist myself but unfortunately I am not married otherwise I would become a member of such a recognized club myself here in Australia.

- JAG, Western Australia

(The matter of free beaches is discussed in this issue and also No 52. - Ed.)

 

THAT OHAU BEACH PICNIC

I just had to write to congratulate the Wellington and Wanganui Sun Clubs. Having just read of their venture in Truth today. This is what we need. A few more boosters like this injected into the public's eye 3 or 4 times a year would have them accepting it as a normal occurrence.

I myself do not belong to a club as I've still to convince my spouse, but I read with interest your magazine regularly. It was certainly good to read the idea of a mass undress put forward. But it is more thrilling to find it has been carried out.

Any more go-ahead law abiding ideas coming? We must strike while the iron is hot, if this quote from Truth can be accepted, from the police department: "There is a difference between a nudist outing and someone wilfully exposing himself. If the public don't mind though, we certainly won't"

- PATRICIA, Hamilton

IN DEFENCE OF THE PRESS

As both a nudist and a newspaperman, I cannot allow the remarks of A. Leon Gilbert (NZ Naturist No. 49) on the attitude of the press to nudity, to go unchallenged.

Mr Gilbert talks about the newspapers' "smug, hypocritical, morbid fascination of the naked body". Come off it, Mr Gilbert The average newspaperman is no more depraved than the average chimney sweep or what-have-you. I believe that nudists are as much to blame as the newspapers in many cases.

Take Mr Gilbert's case of the three meetings in a London hotel. Two of them pretty prosaic: builders' and hairdressers' conferences. The third: a mystery, a "secret" nudist conference. Can you blame the reporters for concentrating on the latter? I am sure that had the press been invited to the nudist meeting, all three conferences would have been covered. Extra men would have been assigned to handle the extra work and naturism would have gained some benefit. But a secret conference is the sort of thing which does most harm to the movement.

In the same issue of the NZ Naturist, Perc. Cousins said editorially that the clubs showing the most progress were those that sought publicity. Of course he's right, but the message seems to be taking a long time to get through.

The New Zealand daily press has come in for much criticism over the years, but it would never be called lurid or sensational. The papers are printed by ordinary men and women for ordinary men and women. Occasionally they might "splash" a lurid story (Mr Gilbert's "Beautiful Naked Body Found in House") but such cases are few and far between. Think a moment: When did your local paper last run a story of this type?

Another thought, probably irrelevant: How many "girlie" magazines and sensational weekly and fortnightly newspapers have you heard of closing down because of lack of sales? Please don't tell me that only depraved people buy this sort of thing. Could it be that there is a demand for such publications?

The average daily newspaper, in New Zealand at any rate, maintains a pretty high moral standard. Editors generally leave the sensational stuff to the periodicals and concentrate on giving their readers a balanced diet of what they want to read and what they should read. I believe, and please don't dismiss this as self-satisfaction, that the New Zealand public gets a pretty good deal from its daily press.

So a tip for your public relations officers: pop in and see your local editor, have a natter with him about the movement, and I think you'll be surprised at the favourable reaction.

And Mr Gilbert, don't be too quick to knock the press. For all its faults, it is still one of the best platforms from which the nudist movement can publicise itself, clear up misunderstandings and attract members. • - Journalist

  

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FREE BEACHES IN NEW ZEALAND

by the Dominion President

It is felt that this matter is so important that it deserves special mention. While our conduct within the confines of our clubs certainly enjoys a degree of acceptance in many walks of life, practising nudity in a public place is another story. Heed this warning and help maintain our reputation.

IN THE last few years there has been an ever-increasing urge from readers to do more about the Free Beach idea in this country. It is easy to urge somebody else to do something about it and quite another thing to put it into practice. We know that unofficial nude swimming has been taking place in many parts of NZ for some years, and is even frowned upon by one Australian club.

So that we all know the position, it was recently demonstrated that in the present state of public thinking, nude swimming at public beaches is illegal and is risking police action and possible prosecution.

We base this fact on a recent experience at Ohau Beach, near Levin, when a combined Wellington and Wanganui club picnic was arranged. Some 40 cars unloaded over 150 people and their children at the end of the road, about a mile from where the main road met the beach.

Ted Dye 

• A "FREE" BEACH IN NEW ZELAND

It was a perfect day, calm and sunny, and the toddlers were soon engaged in a sand castle contest, beach games were started and some went for a swim. Everyone enjoyed the day in the usual well-behaved fashion of sun club members.

The few people who came near were approached and politely informed of what was going on and no one objected except a farmer who drove a tractor at high speed right through us, disappeared and later came back in the same way. He apparently rang the police in Levin and later they drove into our midst and wanted to know what was going on.

We chatted to them and soon convinced them that we were well behaved and had no wish to offend anyone. The sergeant took down notes and left, he even commented that he envied us. But the complaint had been made and the matter had to go through the usual official channels. The police came back later on the order of the officer in charge at the Station and we were ordered to dress. We did so immediately. They stayed for about half an hour and chatted with various members and before leaving the sergeant actually apologized for intruding on our day.

Sensing that this might not be the end of the matter, I discussed the matter with a senior police officer at Central HQ and while he was prepared to accept our good faith it also had to be admitted that he was paid to administer the law. Fortunately the report from the Manawatu police came to him for action and his letter to me signed by the Commissioner of Police, included a warning to us and a request not to do it again. Our side of the story was also presented to the Press to avoid a possible misinterpretation.

What can we learn from this? While we know the day will come when certain beaches will be set aside for nude sunbathing and swimming, we have a long way to go during which to educate officialdom and the public that such practices can be conducted without misbehaviour or a lowering of our moral code. This magazine sets out to help in this way, by showing in word and picture, that it is a sane and logical step in the right direction and that just as it has been and still is popular in Europe and elsewhere, so it will be in NZ in the course of time. Make no mistake, the day will come when we can enjoy swimming in the nude, but the programme of explaining the benefits will take a little time. Meanwhile, if you want to enjoy a nude swim, remember you are breaking the law as it now stands, though we can take comfort in the article in Truth, 4th March, in the write-up of the Ohau Beach picnic, where a "Wellington police headquarters spokesman said that normally nudists would not be troubled by the law".

"There's a difference between a nudists' outing and someone wilfully exposing himself," he said, "but if someone complains because they are offended, the police are obliged to act. If the public don't mind though, we certainly won't."

And on that note we can feel we have made a breakthrough that will go down in NZ's nudist history. •

E. Roland 

• ANOTHER "FREE" BEACH IN NEW ZEALAND
WHO COULD COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS HAPPY PICTURE?

  

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with Joan Treanor

THIS is one of those glorious days when I could do with a secretary to write my articles, whilst I continue lazing in the brilliant sunshine. Yesterday was one of those "iffy" sort of days when the sun wasn't sure just what it was doing. There were four of us on the miniten court playing, all dressed because of the wind and weather, when the sun suddenly decided to come out and promised to stay out. Without a word from anyone, we all simultaneously stopped play, dropped our bats, and more important, dropped our clothes; and what a relief it was to be able to continue play completely unfettered. But, to a stranger, what a sight it must have looked. Just imagine this happening during a game of cricket!

Earlier in the year I stayed with the secretary of Auckland Sun Club and his wife and was able to make many visits to the club grounds, as for a change, Auckland was able to experience some pleasant weather (I had brought it along in my suitcase) and the day I was finally leaving, one of the members asked whether I would mention my stay and give a favourable report on it. Well, how could I mention anything good after being taken forcibly away from all my work and made to relax completely. I wasn't allowed to drive the car, talk too much, cook the meals or anything.

After a few days of this, I was then dragged(?) out to their club and given a hammer and told "get to work". Well! The only thing that cheered me up was that I could hammer nails much hester than could Charles. I wasn't allowed time off for lunch or a break as the pool had to be finished for the weekend.

This went on for a couple of days, with me hammering, hosing down the papers and magazines at the bottom of the pool, (could I help it if the other men got in the way of the hose?) getting my legs badly burnt from the glare off 'the silver paper lining the pool, then having to hold the polythene at one end while Barry took ages to decide whether it was upside down or not. But my pleasure(?) wasn't at an end yet. Delighted with this weather, a crowd of them decided to spend the long weekend at the club, and who was delegated to put up the tent?

Of course that day it had to rain again, but never mind says Barry, wet weather hurt no one. Didn't matter that I had just had a hair set. Finally managed to get the tent up, and only got wet through to the skin, miles of scratches that didn't improve my beauty, and not a word of thanks! Well, we finally made it back out that night and I was told that there would be nine sleeping in the tent, but by the sound of the "snoring orchestra" it sounded like the whole club had descended on us. By the time I finally was able to get to sleep, everybody was ready for getting up for breakfast.

That day the sun shone, I played miles of sport, the pool was finished, and all was we'll. Now for a good rest I thought, but no, I was dragged off to a swim night and expected to swim, play a form of water polo and all sorts. Then we had a barbecue that evening. I ask you, what next? Don't these people ever sleep? Just shows though that they aren't really used to this hectic sort of life, and it was only put on for my benefit for, guess who had thirty lengths of the pool while the others still slept?

Doug. Cousins  • THIS IS THE LASS WHO APPEARED ON THE FRONT COVER LAST ISSUE: A TRUE NEW ZEALANDER

Another glorious day (I had had some more sun sent up from Canterbury) plenty of people out, so I was able to have plenty of flatters (for a change!) and again that night another barbecue. Monday started to cloud over, but I discovered some sunshine lying in the corner of my suitcase, and another day was super.

We had planned on leaving before dinner, but in the end stayed until nearly nine. By this time I had discovered why I was so badly needed to stay that weekend, for previously I had planned on returning to Christchurch a week earlier, but after a lot of talking and a lot of arm twisting (have you ever tried doing this all by yourself?) I had stayed. There was an interclub sports tournament on the following week and I was needed to coach all the teams for all the sports. (Just as well perhaps, I live so far away.)

Finally left Auckland and headed back this way, and for all my nonsense above, I really appreciated my stay and in a way would have liked to prolong it further, but wanted to leave while I was still welcome. I did enjoy the company of all at ASC and look forward very much to my next visit. (I shan't tell them when as I don't want them all to leave town in a hurry!)

Recently I received a most interesting letter from another male, (come on women, where are your letters?) and will publish it as received. (See below).

It really is pleasant here today and feel as if I have said enough, so will stop and enjoy my sunbathing. There is still plenty of available space in the post office box for more letters, so how about writing one now? No, not tomorrow, NOW.

Send your letters to Joan, P.O. Box 6359, Wellington.

Dear Joan,

I think I will write you a letter of our experience on our 12 months' tour of Europe. Our landlady in Hamburg gave us an invitation to go with them on a two-day tour in their Volkswagen through Lubeck and towards the Danish there were thousands of large basket beach chairs for hire, each in its own little sand plot. I expressed my sorrow that I had not brought my bathing suit but our landlady said it didn't matter as later we would not need it. I had visions of a little private pool like Matamata, where the family can bathe in the nude.

Further on we came to a place named Dame (Darma) and as we crossed the beach there was no formality for as far as the eye could see everyone was in the nude. Our landlord and landlady stripped off and went into the lovely breakers. If that's what the Romans do, well I did the same. Only they were not Romans, but Germans, Danes, Swedes and Norwegians. It came a bit too suddenly for my wife, she hid behind some rushes and looked; it was a very new experience. We really went there to see the storks which nest on the housetops.

After returning to NZ we naturally told of our experience and found there are nudist clubs here, so we joined an Auckland Club. We were really a little too old for this, but now after 10 years membership, we have had a wonderful time.

Our six children were married and had their own friends. We were lonely, but the friends in the club made up for it. As everyone is called by their Christian name we felt much Closer than being Mr and Mrs. After 10 years in the movement I will give an opinion: I have never heard of a crime in the nudist club, social or otherwise. Have you? As we have nothing to hide you can see what there is to see, no forbidden fruit or anything half-hidden which could make you ambitious and could lead to crime.

The interesting part is we see children grow up and develop in the club. We have brought up our children and we have not seen them develop as they all had their own bedrooms at an early age and then we see them no more.

Here in the club's free atmosphere we can see everything from babies to man- and womanhood it is very interesting to see children of both sexes play together quite freely. You can see both sexes of grown-ups working together with shovel and hoe, or even bulldozers, to get another improvement done to the club. Some time ago a young married woman pointed out to me the kicking of her unborn child. Where else could you find such a perfectly natural occurrence as in a nudist club?

I wish we could have brought our family up in such a natural and mentally clean surrounding. Doctors are now encouraging the presence of husbands at the birth of their own children. What a natural happening and why not? You can talk to any adult member of this happening and no one will be embarrassed.

You often see girls and married women letting their hair down and everyone says: "Hasn't she got nice hair?" What girl doesn't want to be admired for her beauty, especially her hair when she has it nice? •

---

TODAY, NOT TOMORROW
When I quit this mortal shore, And nose round this world no more, Don't weep, don't sob: I might have found a better job.		Don't tell folk I was a saint, Or any old thing that I ain't. If you have jam like that to spread, Please hand it out before I'm dead.
Don't go and buy a large bouquet, For which you find it hard to pay. Don't mope and feel all blue, I may be better off than you.		If you have roses, bless your soul, Just pin one in my buttonhole, While I'm alive and well today, Don't wait until I'm gone away. •

A man was in court on a charge of bigamy: he had wives in Taihape and Wellington. The judge soundly ticked him off, concluding sternly, "You ought to be ashamed of yourself. How can you do such a thing?"

The bland reply came pat: "I ride a bike."

  

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COMPETITION

Our cartoon drawing competition did not draw as many entries as we had hoped. Perhaps it was too hard. Anyway, we are pleased to award Colleen of Wellington the first prize of $2 for her cartoon reproduced opposite. Maybe we will try an easier one later on.

 

A COMPETITION FOR THE UNDER 12s

Here is another easy competition for all children who have not reached their 12th birthday. All you have to do is to rewrite the letter printed below, without the mistakes, and also tell us the number of mistakes you have found. There will be two prizes of $1 each for the best entries and if necessary, neatness will count.

Just send your entry, marked COMPETITION to P.O. Box 6359, Wellington, and it must reach this box by the 1st July. Get Mum or Dad to include a note declaring your age and that the entry is your own work. Watch for the results in the next issue and there will be another competition then.

12 Wilson St.

Alexandra

South Island

31st Nov. 1968

Dear ROBIN,

Thank you four your letter of last Wednesday. As I was sick in bed I was pleesed to receive it, four it oheared me up a lot. I especially like the book and I thought the pictures were wonderfull, they reminded me of last year when I went two australia? I would like to go again.

You will be pleesed to know that my sister is coming to stay with us four sevral weaks and as she an I ge a long together very well, I am loking fourward to her visit. I hope I will be out of bed buy then so that I can meat her at the air port. Its a pity I am not old enougth too drive dads' car, as it wood be marvelous to bring her home in it, its' a vauxhall green and creem and dad says it goes like a burd. I dont' know what sort of a burd he meens, but we do like going out in it when the weether is sunney.

Won't it be lovly when the sun is hot again so that we can all go out to the club! Thankyou once more and I hope two see you soon,

Your Sincerely

    David.

THE WINNING ENTRY IN OUR CARTOON DRAWING COMPETITION

 

  

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WHAT MAKES A NUDIST?

by JJH (WnSC-ite in exile in Fiji)

 

TIME and again we find stressed in this magazine, or those from overseas, the physical and mental benefits allegedly stemming from social nudity. Phrases such as 'deep spiritual experience' flow glibly from the writer's pen, to create the impression that nudists are other-worldly mystics and that the act of appearing nude in the company of other similarly attired persons - of both sexes, be it stressed-must inevitably lead to full sanity, perfect health and the abolition of crime, and generally create a BETTER WORLD.

How did this idealism arise; does it stem from those days, many years ago, when organized nudism was in its infancy and the founders of the movement had to fight bitterly for the survival of their ideas? Certainly this attitude is more prevalent among the senior practitioners of nudism, among them the ones who guide our clubs, but does it necessarily provide the right approach to the all-important goal of full public acceptance of social nudity? Does this attitude attract the average person?

Just why DO ordinary people join a club, and once in, become converts? Could these be among the reasons:

1. A sense of exuberance in being able to move without clothing restrictions together with, let's face it, the sensual feel of sun, air or water on the bare skin?
2. Pride in an all-over tan, which few people outside clubs can boast?
3. An inner feeling of superiority when in the company of non-nudeniks?
4. The feeling of satisfaction in bucking convention by disrobing in front of others?
5. In the case of parents of young children, a desire for their youngsters to grow up with a more realistic attitude toward sex than perhaps they themselves had?

I am sure this list is far from exhausted, and perhaps does not reflect the feelings of those people who are nowadays embracing nudism; but how are we to know if the question is not asked?

I repeat, what makes a nudist?

Let us hear what YOU get out of it. It could help the movement. •

• "A SENSE OF EXHUBERANCE ..."

  

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with Joan Treanor

 

WELL, even if the Youth Rally doesn't eventuate, and I certainly hope that it does, I am at least receiving miles of correspondence from the various clubs, and only hope that I don't have to foot the bill for postage expenses.

Since the last issue, most of you will know that the Wellington club came up with the suggestion that the Rally be held a week prior to the main Rally, and rather than use the AOHC grounds as they will be busy organizing the main Rally, it was proposed that ASC use their grounds.

I was present at this meeting when Gavin, the president from the Wellington club, expressed on behalf of his club the suggestion. ASC were very keen for this idea, and I feel that now it is up to you Youth Members to share their enthusiasm and get cracking on this project. Although Christmas sounds a long way off, it isn't in reality and there is still much to be planned.

Are you all starting making money towards your Youth Rally fund? I attended the social held by the Pineglades youth recently and at their first attempt they made $3. This doesn't sound a great deal, but at least it is a start and their Youth Committee has plans already for future monthly socials, plus other arrangements. Now, if they can do it so can you, especially the larger clubs. From the letters I have received, every club is willing to help you all, so get in now and give your committee some idea of the plans you have in mind. I am sure that your club would be only too willing to subsidise your money raised if they realize that you have been working over the months towards this project.

I have received a couple of letters from other members in New Zealand and overseas who would like penfriends in the naturist movement, so if you are interested, drop me a line and I will forward you an address. Mind you, I would prefer a letter for myself for the magazine telling me of your club's happenings throughout the year. These would make ideal reading for others and could even offer them some suggestions, so how about when Mum is writing to me, you do likewise?

Young Neil came home from school the other day and informed me that the boys in the older classes at school call him "ruddy nuddy". When I asked him what he said to that, he said he just laughed at them and told them they were only jealous they didn't belong. He admitted to me, however, that he does get annoyed with them all and wishes that they too could join to see what we do here and to enjoy themselves as he does.

What do you find happens at your school? Are you asked about it, or doesn't anyone know. I know that I hear quite a lot about this and I wonder how you all cope. That would make interesting reading for others you know, and could certainly help some of those not sure what attitude to take.

Write to Joan, P.O. Box 6359, Wellington. •

 

 

Memory is the thing you forget with!

  

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EXCUSE US . . .

• "SO YOU ARE THE GREAT ALL-ROUNDER!"

•   WARNING TO MOTHERS

A tragic discovery was made in New Zealand by the mother of a young baby when a mitten was removed from the infants right hand. A thread of wool was wound around the middle finger cutting off circulation and the finger became gangrenous. Eventually it was found necessary to perform an amputation of part of the finger.

Reports of two cases in England also deal with injuries to young babies caused by loose threads in mittens.

The first concerned a baby who had a cotton thread from the inside seam of a mitten wound round the second finger causing obstruction of the circulation. After removal of the thread the circulation gradually improved but the finger was permanently tapered.

In the second case, a baby of three weeks was found by its mother to have a thread from a wool and nylon knitted mitten wound round its index finger causing the finger to turn purplish black. Circulation started to return when the thread was removed, but the finger later became gangrenous. Though the finger healed, the tip has remained bulbous and there is a deformity of the nail.

Mittens should be looked over carefully every time before putting them on the baby's hands. The fact that they were checked and found all right one time does not necessarily mean they will remain in good order.

- Health

•   TEENAGERS AND SMOKING

A committee of the US Public Health Service sifted data on smoking from all over the world and reached two very significant conclusions:

1. The teenage smoker has a much greater chance of dying from lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, emphysema (a serious lung disease), or coronary heart failure than the smoker who starts later in life, or the non-smoker.

2. The earlier a person starts cigarette smoking, the greater chances are that he will become a heavy smoker. The teenage smoker will develop the habit of inhaling earlier, and this will further increase the risk of early disability and shortened life.

According to the committee, the longer your child puts off smoking, or the sooner he can break the habit, the greater are his chances of avoiding such a fate. •

•   STRESS AND HEART ATTACKS

Having a big job in the office doesn't make men more prone to heart attacks, according to "Today's Health". In one large industrial firm the heart-attack rate among presidents, vice-presidents and plant managers was 2.2 per 1,000, compared with 4.0 per 1,000 among clerical workers. "Stress cannot be measured or described by the external circumstances," said the doctors' report. "One man's stress may be another man's pleasure. Thus the demands of a top management job may be no more stressful than situations commonly encountered by persons in lower job levels, at work, and at home. Secondly, men chosen for advancement may be those whose personal qualities are characteristic of both executive talent and resistance to coronary disease."

- Health

•   SMOKING AND ATHLETES

Young people need to know that once they begin smoking it is a stubborn habit to break. This is especially important for the athlete who wants to achieve peak performance. According to the Committee on the Medical Aspects of Sports of the American Medical Assn, it is unwise for a young man who has ambitions to excel in sports to begin smoking or to continue the habit if he has already started. Apart from athletic performance, there is the important matter of a possible connection between smoking and lung cancer and between smoking and heart and blood vessel disease. The best way to stop smoking is don't start.

- Health

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Lawford White 

"THE SUN ON MY SKIN WAS DELIGHTFUL"

 

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GYPSY MOTH CIRCLES THE WORLD

by Sir Francis Chichester

"Apart from the wind, conditions were perfect. The sun on my skin at dawn was delightful. I wore only shoes, a cap and a life line."

A clipping from TIME

When police arrived, Kentucky farmers Clarence and Benjamin Roe were holding family religious services in their unfenced back yard. Unfortunately, the assembled Roes of all ages and sexes were not wearing clothes. The Greenup Circuit Court fined Clarence and Benjamin 1,000 dollars apiece for violating Kentucky's Nudist Society Act, which required all nudist colonies to pay an annual license fee of 1,000 dollars, register all members, and segregate the premises with a solid masonry wall 20 ft high. Unreasonable and unconstitutional, ruled Kentucky's highest court as it voided the Roe's convictions and stripped the nudist law from the books. Calling the wall "prohibitive" and the fee excessive, the court scoffed at the law's definition of a nudist as anyone found naked before "persons of the opposite sex, not his husband or wife, at their solicitation or with their consent, for religious or heath purposes."

Construed literally, ruled the court, the law would penalise even "a female patient who undergoes an examination by a male physician."

THE SATURDAY BOOK

edited by John Hadfield

"Thus, after exceptional misdemeanours, the sins of the Rajah of Manipur used to be transferred to someone else, usually a criminal, who earned his pardon by assuming the guilt of his royal overlord. The Rajah and Ranee would order a scaffold to be erected in the bazaar or marketplace, where they bathed stark naked on the uppermost platform. The criminal crouched below, and the water dripping from the royal ablutions was supposed to carry the sins of the Rajah into the person of the human scapegoat."

*        *        *

Mixed bathing was often the general rule, and the public bath-houses acquired in consequence a considerable reputation for licentiousness. In ancient Greece, where women seemed especially enthusiastic for their ablutions, the attendants were all men, and wore very little more clothing than the bathers. Likewise in Germany in more recent times, it was customary for those using the public baths provided by pious foundations and local authorities always to be attended by members of the opposite sex. In view of these temptations, it is not surprising that attendance at the baths could be correlated with a certain rise in the birthrate, and there is probably no need to ascribe any special virtue to the waters themselves."

*        *        *

"Those who took baths simply for health or hygiene, usually came only once or twice a week. But others, intent on the licentious possibilities of mixed bathing, took as many as five or six baths a day. The highest patricians, and even the emperors themselves, were no exceptions. Gordian is recorded as having indulged in as many as eight baths in a single day, and Commodus even stayed in the baths for meals, eating with one hand while caressing some glamorous Roman siren with the other."

HUMPHREY CLINKER by Tobias Smollett (1752)

"I went in the morning to a private place along with the house-maid and we bathed in our birthday soot, after the fashion of the country, and behold whilst we dabbled in the loff (Loch Lomond) sir George Loon started up with a gun, but we clapt our hands to our faces, and passed by him to the place where we had left our smocks."

---

Writing in the new trade publication, "Trends, Fabrics, and Fashions", Dr Black says: We are forced to the conclusion that it is possible for a fashion designer to satisfy the whims of the unconscious with clothes which are in fact unwearable." He adds: "It might be thought that the lengths to which the 'cut-out' and the 'see-through' can go must become in the end part of the anatomical rather than a psychological study. That this problem becomes eventually the question: what else can they show?"

 

THE PRICE OF PLEASURE by Charles Graves

"Everywhere at the beginning of October, through the smiling, rolling country of Champagne, the peasants go out before dawn. If it rains they will not go home. They will take off their clothes, yes, all their clothes, and hang them up to dry in the outhouses provided by the great champagne firms a few yards away from their presses. Fathers, mothers, children, fiances - they will eat and sleep and wait while their clothes dry and they can go out again to pick the precious grapes and bring them back in their sixty kilo baskets to the counting house clerk. •

 

  

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THAT TRIP OVERSEAS

by GSL

FOR those interested in naturism, whether they be club members in NZ or not, there are countless opportunities to broaden their experience when overseas. The first thing to realize is that there is plenty of information available on naturism overseas, and also that it is readily obtainable. Before leaving New Zealand, club members can obtain details of naturist clubs and facilities in other countries.

Another point about Britain and Europe is that there are available a very large number of naturist clubs, camp sites, beaches, etc. For example, in France there are over 7,500 such camp and caravan sites, 80 naturist areas and 8 beaches. And in Britain about 70 clubs cover the country from Aberdeen to Bournmouth, and Liverpool to Norwich. The facilities they offer are just as varied, and may include sports areas, swimming pools, solarium, camp sites, chalets, and TV. Usually, too, there is attractive scenery to complete the thrill.

While an INF passport or club membership is necessary for some of the naturist centres, this is not always the case. Visitors or non-club members are welcome at many of the sites.

I found a useful way of getting information, in the absence of any leads, was from advertisements in English photography magazines. Then by contacting the distributors of naturist books and magazines, a wealth of information is offered. This is contained in the large number of naturist magazines one may buy, and from clubs and organizations mentioned in them. The range of illustrated magazines is large, covering most European countries and this is an ideal introduction for those hesitant, would-be naturists.

To those going overseas, I say visit some of the naturist areas or clubs. This may mean a little extra expense in travelling, but it is something you will not regret. The use of club facilities is not expensive, and in common with a lot of European camp sites, camping may cost only 30-50 cents a night, per person. Then there are the chalets or bungalows, which are generally superbly appointed and equipped. You will find you are always welcome, and later you will be the richer for your experience. •

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THE NEW ZEALAND

NATURIST

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Business Manager

N.Z. Naturist

P.O. Box 6359, Wellington, N.Z.

Back issues Nos. 36-49 are available at half price.

Numbers before those at 5 cents each.

 

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N E W S F R O M  T H E C L U B S I N  N. Z.

 

There seems to have been an upsurge of interest to start this year off, most clubs reporting increased membership. Publicity and a growing acceptance of our principles is paying off and while we continue to maintain our high reputation, we have nothing to fear.

The first report comes from the AUCKLAND SUN CLUB and they inform us their pool is finished and in use. During the season, many members camped out at the grounds and enjoyed barbecues every Saturday night. Swim nights at public baths started in January, with a barbecue back at the club afterwards.

Interclub volleyball has been enjoyed by the KOWHAI VALLEY CLUB with AOHC and a novelty weekend trip on a gold prospecting jaunt to Thames made a change. The main success of the trip seemed to be the spit-roasted lamb and trimmings, which over-filled everybody on Saturday night. Members are already wanting to know when the next one will be. An excursion to a "free beach", together with the Northern Sun Seekers was one of the final trips of the season and swim nights, social evenings and a full building programme will help everyone to keep busy and not feel the cold of winter.

THE NORTHERN SUN SEEKERS tell us that a road has been cut through the middle of the property put at their disposal and consequently they are searching for somewhere else. We hope they soon find a suitable site, and it shows the danger of using land put at your disposal, however well meaning the offer may have been.

An enthusiastic membership is ensuring that the TAURANGA SUN CLUB is on the up and up. By next year they hope to have their own pool completed, as well as a good metalled track in. A welcome awaits members of other clubs at all times.

By the time this appears in print, the NELSON SUN CLUB will have become incorporated. When the NZSA President and Secretary visited them in March, they had just formed a committee, appointed subcommittee chairmen and approved plans for the development of a splendid property put at their disposal. It is intended to use this area until something more permanent turns up, when they hope to be in a position to effect a purchase. It is safe to assume that their future is assured and we are happy to welcome this new club into our ranks.

Reports indicate that another club, the ROTORUA SUN CLUB, is soon to become incorporated and join us. Advertising is bringing in a few enquiries and anyone in the area is urged to get in touch with them at P.O. Box 1007, Rotorua. We wish them every success.

A pleasant summer season at AUCKLAND OUTDOOR HEALTH CLUB INC. has resulted in steady attendance by the members. Over the holiday season many campers from all over the North Island stayed at Oranui, which is becoming a very popular holiday camp, with the best in nudist living and easy access to the city should there be a wet day.

While volleyball and teniquoit retain their popularity, miniten is gaining. an increasing number of enthusiasts. The interclub sports day attracted competitors from the other clubs throughout the Auckland province and Hawkes Bay, and some keen games were fought out, interspersed with relaxation in the swimming pool. Auckland Sun Club were runners-up in the men's volleyball, being defeated by the home team by two games to one, and they subsequently invited return games on their grounds for the men's, women's and under-sixteen teams. On this occasion the ASC women took the honours, but again the AOHC men's team was victorious and departed amidst dire threats for next year.

The swimming sports day was popular, as it is every year with swimmers and spectators alike, and the trophies for the best boy and best girl competitor were again awarded. The club's annual picnic was thoroughly enjoyed, although mans members evidently felt that any advantage of a day at the beach over attendance at the club grounds did not outweigh the 50-mile drive on crowded roads.

Improvements to the grounds have proceeded slowly with completion of the concrete pool surround and path to the ablution block and some draining and clearing of trees. However, with the approach of cooler weather, thoughts are turning to the necessary development for the National Rally to be held at Oranui next season.

The WANGANUI SUN CLUB is steadily building up its membership and it is hoped by the time this appears in print, the red tape will have been sufficiently unwound to make the grounds their own. Meantime the members continue to use the grounds in Wanganui and the sunny weather has seen good attendances. They enjoyed the day with the Wellington club at Ohau Beach, which is referred to elsewhere.

The HAWKES BAY SUN CLUB INC. continues to advance, this time with major alterations to the look of the grounds. A bulldozer was hired to build a dam to hold the bounteous supply of water they have in winter so they can use it in summer when there is no rain. Their biggest wonder now is whether the dam will hold water when it finally does decide to rain. While the bulldozer was on the grounds, opportunity was taken to get another court levelled. A new driveway to comply with a county council ruling was also built, this involving removal of huge tree stumps, which would have been an impossible job by hand. Social evenings and swimming nights are immensely popular.

The WELLINGTON SUN CLUB has enjoyed a bumper season and membership has increased substantially, a fine Sunday bringing more than 200 to Fiveacres.

The club has been fortunate in obtaining exclusive use of a city sauna bath one evening a week. This session is from 7-10 p.m. and a good following of members regularly enjoys this relaxing social activity. Also planned for the winter is nude swimming in an indoor pool.

A beach picnic was held near Levin in conjunction with the Wanganui Club. About 150 members turned out and enjoyed a glorious day of natural freedom. Temporary volleyball and teniquoit courts were rigged up to supplement the pleasures of sun and surf. The day was unfortunately marred slightly by a single complaint which brought the police to the scene. It was clearly a case of "when constabulary duty's to be done, a policeman's lot is not a happy one". The clubs are indebted to Truth for a very forthright report of the incident. No public indignation followed the press report.

The holiday period at Fiveacres resembled a mini-rally in spite of the fact that a National Rally was going on at the same time. Wellington members were delighted to enjoy the company of those who were able to visit the club en route to and from Christchurch.

Big changes are taking place in the grounds, thanks to a contractor member who has brought his earthmoving machinery on to the job. "Hide Park" has been drained and widened and there is now a wide terrace behind the children's play area. Later more usable land is to be won on the upper level so that even more campers can be accommodated. •

 

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CLUB DIRECTORY The secretaries of the clubs listed below will be pleased to hear from genuine enquirers. Please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope. NORTHERN SUN SEEKERS P.O. Box 4126, Kamo. AUCKLAND OUTDOOR HEALTH CLUB INC. P.O. Box 2702, Auckland. AUCKLAND SUN CLUB Inc. P.O. Box 2925, Auckland. Phone 604-235 KOWHAI VALLEY CLUB INC. P.O. Box 6238, Wellesley St. W, Auckland 1. WAIKATO OUTDOOR SOCIETY P.O. Box 619, Hamilton TAURANGA SUN CLUB P.O. Box 2205, South Tauranga. ROTORUA SUN CLUB INC. P.O. Box 1007, Rotorua. GISBORNE SUN CLUB P.O. Box 126, Gisborne. Phones 86-457, 4166 (day or night) HAWKE'S BAY SUN CLUB INC. P.O. Box 551, Napier. WANGANUI SUN CLUB P.O. Box 410, Wanganui. Phones, pvte 38-421, 33-123 WELLINGTON SUN CLUB INC. P.O. Box 2854, Wellington. Phone 826-132 NELSON SUN CLUB INC. P.O. Box 467, Nelson CANTERBURY SUN & HEALTH CLUB INC. P.O. Box 1823, Christchurch. OTAGO SUN & HEALTH CLUB P.O. Box 2058, South Dunedin. SOUTHERN SUN & HEALTH CLUB INC. P.O. Box 486, Invercargill. Phone 541K Winton If you are not close to any of the above clubs, you may like to know that other naturists are ready to form clubs in the following areas: Rotorua (P.O. Box 1007) Blenheim Palmerston North Westport Masterton Timaru To contact them, write to:         N.Z. Sunbathing Association Inc.         P.O. Box 6359, Wellington

SOLAR incorporating SUN REVIEW        AUSTRALIA'S NATURIST MAGAZINE Profusely illustrated From your newsagent or direct from the publishers 40c per copy GOLDRAY PUBLICATIONS Box 2, P.O., Austral, N.S.W. Australia       Read and enjoy                         Health & Efficiency The   world's   greatest sunbathing  magazine  SCORES OF PLATES in every issue PLUS the official news and pictures of  all  British  Naturist  Clubs Full Colour Cover 16 issues yearly including 4 special DOUBLE SIZE extra numbers Send NOW for specimen copy, 3/- post paid or 50/- post paid for 12 months HEALTH & EFFICIENCY PLANT NEWS LTD 38 North Audley Street London, W.1, England

Printed by Martin Printing Co. Ltd, Napier, N.Z.

 

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Noted:- 

History: Early days of Naturism in NZ - Part 2 by Perc Cousins

History: Gisborne Club helps Crippled Children by Patsy Jeory

Perc Cousins: Free Beaches in New Zealand (The Ohau trip)

Funny People with Funny Ideas - reprinted from Massey's "Chaff"

18th Rally Auckland - 1970

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Doug. Cousins 

• FINGERS WERE MADE BEFORE SPOONS, ANYWAY

Doug. Cousins 

• SURVEYING THE GAMES AT THE LAST
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• SOME PLAY GAMES; OTHERS ARE
CONTENT TO WATCH

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• OVERHEARD AT THE RALLY SHIPWRECK DANCE:
"I HAD A ROUGH TIME GETTING ASHORE,
BUT IT'S ALL BEHIND ME NOW"

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• TEATIME AT THE LAST NATIONAL RALLY

Lawford White 

• PEOPLE ARE FAST DISCOVERING THE PLEASURE OF BEING FREE,
ON THE BEACH OR BY A MOUNTAIN STREAM

 
•  SPORTS
•  FUN
•  BUSINESS
 

 
 
 
 

 
•  17th NATIONAL RALLY
•  CHRISTCHURCH
•  1968-69
 

 

Doug. Cousins 

• THE LAST NATIONAL RALLY
SURVEYING THE "INDIAN STOCKADE"

Doug. Cousins 

• THE WATER IS JUST FINE

National Publicity Studios 

• BEAUTIFUL NEW ZEALAND

LAKE MATHESON, MOUNT TASMAN AND
MOUNT COOK

Photo: Gordon Davis

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