The NZNF bi-monthly supplement
PLENTY OF ACTION
OVER HOLIDAYS
This message will hopefully still catch you in a reflective mood, thinking about what you all achieved in 1987 both personally and for your clubs and also contemplating what 1988 will bring.
Over Christmas we heard and saw good things, like the rally, what a marvellous annual event this is. Well organised, well attended, and enjoyed by most. It was also good to see not only a large number of NYC members from yesteryear but also an equally large number of eligible NYC members. They were also as enthusiastic as their predecessors and regrouped over the rally under the NYC banner. More details later in this newsletter.
It was pleasing to see the younger members catered for so well at the rally by a very competent team with an equally varied program.
After the rally we visited the Bay of Plenty club and ware delighted with the results of what must have been a very challenging year, work wise. Their club house and facilities are well on the way to completion and they have ended up with improved facilities.
Of course we can't have the good news without the bad. At the AGM we heard that The Orchard Club could no longer host next year's Rally because their club was disbanding. I found that hard to swallow from such an active and dedicated club. I was therefore pleased when we returned home to spot their newsletter in the post saying "at the special meeting on December 20, the members present overwhelmingly voted that we should sell the grounds at Green Island and look for grounds elsewhere." The major factor in making this decision was the continued and escalating problem of vandalism.
So The Orchard Club will live on, with new grounds further out of town. Go to it Orchard you've come back from the slip once, you can do it again. If you want some help, sing out, we are all with you.
At the same meeting, Canterbury Club withdrew their application to host the rally. Were they too selling up and closing down? Various mechanisms prevent myself and the Executive from saying what we’d really like to say, but Canterbury we were ALL more than a little disappointed you couldn't host the next Rally.
However with bad news must come the good news. The Bay of Plenty Club went off to discuss with their members the prospect of hosting, but rightly so they needed a well earned rest this year. So our next Rally will be at Palmerston North Club thanks to their offer. Many thanks President Alan and club members.
JAN-FEB 1988
A PHILOSOPHY-Cont'd
In 1936 a magazine called Health and Sunshine appeared devoted mainly to weight lifting, but gave space to nude studies. For a little while this magazine served as clearing house for potential nudists but was short lived. In 1937 four enthusiasts started Auckland Sun and Health at Titi Rangi, meeting in private homes. It grew to a memership of 60 but it too closed in 1942 due it is said to WWII.
Eric Flint had moved to Auckland and started Kaurimu in 1947, "being the first permanent club in Auckland". Reference NZ Naturist 1969 Vol 50. There were reports of groups meeting in the riverbeds of Canterbury, but nothing recorded.
In the 1950's newspaper clippings illustrated the attitudes of the public including an article by the Truth which said "there is potential for evil in the practice of nudism." This was based on a government report on juvenile delinquency which suggested nudity as a possible cause.
One would expect given the outdoor nature of life in New Zealand the idea and practice of social nudity would be readily accepted. I have my own theories about this but discussing them now would be a digression. Suffice to say that twice removed from it's origins into an alien Victorian culture, the practice and motives changed significantly and we are still grappling with this difficulty.
Now to the philosophy, which may put us back on the rails and out of this dead end.
The wrong turning was made in England all those years ago, and we in New Zealand have followed it. We can't turn the clock back but we can seek a new direction.
We must I believe be totally honest in our appraisal of social nudity. Let us admit that we find the sight of other naked bodies can be quite pleasing. However sensuality is NOT the same as sexuality. Let us assert that to cover certain parts of the body with bits of cloth accords those parts more importance than they deserve in a mature rational human being. We are more than the sum of our parts surely! The lower orders of primates have no trouble with this.
We do not after all relate to each other with our bodies, but with our minds, personality and soul even.
We can now say that to cling to outer covering at all times is to present a false image. Most people believe those who wear glasses are mare intelligent, but this is not necessarily the case.
By adopting and projecting an image closer to reality we may grow. Nudity demonstrates the paradox that, Naked, our relationships are cerebral not physical. This holds true whether we are male, female, young or old, black, white or khaki.
So instead of hiding behind fences and apologising and trying to explain how good it feels and is harmless. Let us proclaim the idea that nudity means equality. That nudity is closer to reality and therefore more sane, because clothes provide a mental barrier, a false image.
Continued on next page
