The NZNF bi-monthly supplement
When it's time
to play Santa...
Dear Members,
What ghosts were these that haunted poor Ebenezer Scrooge on the eve of Christmas? The spirits of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas yet to come, all combined to demonstrate to the unhappy Scrooge the disadvantages of remaining anti-social and miserable and the happy result of changing his attitude and behaviour.
Charles Dickens wrote that story 149 years ago; but it is still read by countless thousands around the world as Christmas approaches each year.
What is the special appeal of A Christmas Carol that has made it such a favourite for so long?
Probably the very simplicity of its message: that meanness and miserliness are self-perpetuating, with sorrow as their sure reward; and that kindness and generosity are rewarded by happiness.
In our society we acknowledge our own Spirit of Christmas by gift giving and the extension of goodwill, not only to our friends, business colleagues and neighbours, but to our fellow club members and other club members we we haven't yet met.
May you and your family enjoy Christmas and the new year and perhaps we can all work harder to keep the Spirit of Christmas alive for the whole 12 months of 1988.
A Philosophy — Cont'd
What we might conclude from this rather sketchy history is, that "Nudism" emerged as a natural human response to conditions and external stimuli.
The same thing aimost happened in England. One of the earliest examples was the Welsh Harp Society near London. In 1929 a farmer offered camping on his land to unemployed men, who in time felt little need for clothes. There was water which meant swimming, and having no togs they swam in the nude. They were later joined by their wives. It aroused public and media interest. Hostility and outrage were the order of the day. Respectable men wrote complaining letters to the Times. In fact people in large numbers travelled miles to be outraged.
There were also articles in the New Stateanen in support. Health and Efficiency arrived on the scene and published requests for interested parties to get in touch.
The middle class intellectuals embraced and put their own interpretation on social nudity.
What we might conclude from this rather sketchy history is, that “Nudism” emerged as a natural htn response to conditions and external stimuli.
The same tiring aimost happened in England. One of the earliest examples was the Welsh Harp Society near London. In 1929 a farmer offered camping on his land to unemployed men, who in time felt little need for clothes. There was water which, meant swinining, and having no togs they swam in the nude They were later joined by their wives. It aroused public and media interest. Hostility and outrage were the order of the day. Respectable men wrote complaining letters to the Times. In fact people in large numbers travelled miles to be outraged.
There were also articles in the New Stateanen in support. Health and Efficiency arrived on the scene and published requests for interested parties to get in touch.
The middle class intellectuals embraced and put their own interpretation on social nudity
NOV-DEC 1987
Unfortunately the people with brains are not always the most intelligent, starting from an incorrect premise it's quite possible to proceed logically to a load of cobblers.
1923. At all events the word was out and the word was Gymnosophy, a word derived from the ancient Greek word gymnasion, which literally means "School for naked exercise."
One of the pioneers at this time was M E Barford who opened Sun Lodge in 1929.
The rules were no booze, baccy, and partial nudity to make the idea more acceptable to a suspicious establishment.
Other similar 'clubs' appeared with slightly different ideas, and, the first splits, which typified the movement ever since, were evident. Rules were formulated for admitting members, eg. first names only, single men were excluded. Some married men were tossed out if their wives died. Prospective members were made to stand in an isolated spot, whereupon a committee member would drive past. If they didn't like the look of the person, they would just drive on without stopping.
Of course the fences went up. Nudist 'colonies' were the butt of music hall jokes. Ridicule was the enemy, and as one might expect nudists retreated behind a screen of subliminal explanations.
This is beginning to sound familiar isn't it? The word cult was in vogue.
This very briefly is what New Zealand inherited from Europe in the late 20s. The pioneers at that time were Perc Cousins and Eric Flint and others. The earliest attempt, according to Perc Cousins was in 1927 at Araha with 15 members. Another attempt was made in Auckland at about the same time, but folded after a deposed secretary set members against each other. In 1933 Eric Flint made another attempt in Dunedin. He made the mistake of advertising widely, and suffered the wrath of CHURCH and ESTABLISHMENT
Part 3 in next In-Touch
S.Island Seminar
hosted by Nelson
NSC were hosts to the NZNF South Island Seminar at their grounds over labour weekend. In attendance were the NI & SI Vice Presidents, Trophy Secretary and our National President Alan Henderson
Discussions centered on a recent visit by Nelson President Marianne and her husband Walter to German Clubs recently.
The most notable difference between the two countries is the ready acceptance of the practice of social nudity by the wider community in Germany.
The Federation has been asked to make submisions to the Comission on Social and Economic justice. The Federation is determined to take full advantage of this to redress this imbalance, and draw attention to the benefits of belonging to a Nudist Club for the whole family. For our own part, we shall be equally determined to change the image of secrecy and shame which the public has of nudists generally. The topic was discussed thoroughly at the seminar.
