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[The National Review - Summer] Editor: Stewart Ransom (Pages: 12 - 5/- per annum)
Contents:-
Editorial
The Wanganui Sun Club
How to visit another club
New Zealand's 5th National Rally
National Review Distibution - An Idea
Canadian Welcome
The Private Life of a Nudist by Perc. W. Cousins
Management Committee Proposals adopted by the General Meeting
News from the Clubs (9)
Customs Department
Editorial |
The National Rally has now become a recognised feature of the New Zealand movement. Certainly it now seems to be the most important "get together" of the year and, many members include it in their annual vacation, an indication of the effort that many make to attend. Familiar faces are soon recognised as the enthusiasts who give such strong support to the clubs and the national activities.
Hearty greetings and cries of delight echo and re-echo as each party arrives, and the chatter, barracking and good humour creates pandemonium. The reunions are many and the "first timer" is soon engulfed by the spirit of the occasion. While many reminisce or catch up with 12 month news, the club executives are soon noticed to be in a huddle swapping problems techniques and ideas. This unofficial exchange of news and views has been more important for many. The new chum meets another to exchange their experiences. Those non-club members begin to learn something of club activities and realise why enthusiastic club members have so much to do and yet enjoy such fine facilities.
The spirit of those few days have benefited both clubs and individuals. Members return home keen to try some of those new ideas and certainly more convinced than ever of the value of naturism. Those attending now come from areas throughout the Dominion and they soon realise that clubs so widely distributed will welcome their visit should they be in the locality.
The rally is certainly an inspiration, an example of concerted effort by the Host Club to make the event so enjoyable. Very little time is devoted to formal business for the majority so that freedom to enjoy the company, games and facilities has few restrictions. Nevertheless behind the scenes the management committee is busily thrashing out administration problems. Individually and collectively the rally does create a lasting impression on those who attend. A comradeship which is so spontaneous is nevertheless sincere and departures prove a real wrench from such company. These characteristics impress members at every rally and continue to enthuse those present to attend again and to persuade others to attend next time.
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THE WANGANUI |
A brief history of the Host Club and the part it has played sponsoring national rallies; from Eileen, a Wanganui member. |
Anyone calling at the Wanganui Club, whether by day or night, expected or unexpected, always receives a wonderful welcome from Ivan and Nora.
Ivan and Nora's first ideas on sunbathing came in 1944 from the twins Anne and Jim. They were always tossing off their clothes and yelling for Mum and Dad to join them. Finally, one day, one very hot day while playing the hose on the kiddies Nora thought she would join them. Of course Ivan was dragged into the fray too.
After a while Ivan thought that surely they weren't the only ones anxious to enjoy the sun's benefits. He hunted around for information and finally came across a copy of H.& E. He immediately wrote to Wallace Arter in England for information He was given Perc. Cousins address along with the address of a club in Auckland and of various other members scattered throughout the country. After waiting a few weeks for replies from these people, Ivan was both surprised and pleased to receive a visit from Albert and Esie of Raetihi and from John of Wanganui. However Ivan and Nora first become members of the Wellington Club.
In 1946 Ivan decided to try an advertisement in the local paper to see if there were many more Wanganui people interested. His property was ideally situated and was already frequently enjoyed by John. Ted, Gwen and one or two other members were gained from this advertisement and so the club came into being with Ivan as Secretary.
Early in 1952 plans were made for the Wellington Club to cone to Wanganui for a weekend get-together. This was followed by Doug and Perc proposing the idea of inviting as many North Island members as possible to a similar function. From this came the brilliant idea that it could perhaps be a National Convention where members from all over the country could meet, chat over the year's events, and share in the fun of competitive games.
Wanganui was picked as the most central point and so it was that the 1st National Convention was held in this club's grounds. There were approximately 60 members present including some from Auckland and one from as far south as Dunedin. Everyone enjoyed themselves so much that it was decided to make the National Convention an annual event. So from 1953 came the National Rallies with Volley Ball, miniature golf, darts, and interclub Tenniquoit championships.
The rallies have been getting bigger and bigger and we all hope that next time Ivan and Nora are hosts, and put out the Welcome Mat, we may say Hello to many more who follow our beliefs in sunshine and health.
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HOW TO VISIT ANOTHER CLUB. |
In the second Review, under this heading, we said "either get your Secretary to write to the Secretary in question or send a note from your Secretary with your request to visit. If this is done in plenty of time no difficulties should be experienced." Several cases have been brought to our notice where very little or no notice has been given and no letter of introduction has accompanied the original request to visit. These recommendations, which are naturally for a first visit or until you become known in a particular club, should be carefully observed.
NEW ZEALAND'S |
A review of 1957's most important naturist gathering. |
The 1st., 2nd., and 3rd., January proved to be ill-chosen for the 5th. National Rally again held in the spacious grounds of the Wanganui Sun Club. The cheery good humour of the enthusiastic members present compensated for the unseasonable weather. Gales and torrential rain were continuous and a few brief hours of sunshine only taunted the few who would venture into "uniform". Twice the many campers were washed out, once awakening in the dark hours of early morning to find everything afloat. Spirits, however, were never dampened and the rally was another great success.
The number present were fewer than last year comprising 75 adult's and 36 children. The majority camped in the grounds, the tents being scattered among the trees of the orchard and on the west lawn. Some however, made good use of "Covent Garden", a fine hall built over the garage, where the washouts were no worry. Representation of areas and clubs were as good as ever with members being present from Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, Wairarapa, Wellington and Christchurch. Many were attending a rally for the first time.
Press coverage was not as good as at previous rallies. The Press Association representative, through illness, was not able to be present. N.Z. "Truth" decided not to send a reporter since we understand that nudist news is no longer sensational or with sufficient reader interest; a remarkable realisation! Radio interest however was exceptional. Bob, "Town Topics" announcer of 2XA Wanganui visited the grounds and recorded his impressions. This was included with interviews with Susan a visitor from Five Acres Club, London, and Karen, the wife of Gerald the President of Auckland Outdoor Health Club. The following afternoon, Pamela, who conducts the morning women's session, interviewed Eileen, Peggy and Evelyn over a cup of tea. Their outlines of the benefits of the naturist activities and their introductions to the movement were recorded and broadcast the following morning. It was very apparent that the Rally was receiving considerable discussion, for the session included an announcer's slip when she presented a "nude" desert recipe. The humorous aspect was again apparent since "Town Topics" was sponsored that evening by a clothing company. The announcer's impressions were followed by the remark, "Now to return to 'Sincerity' trousers". 0n three occasions we hit the air so we feel that radio coverage was pretty adequate.
The business session was held in "Covent Garden" accompanied by a torrential downpour. Reports were thus given under difficulties but all indicated the continued progress of all clubs. Development and building plans were advancing and many of the clubs will soon have excellent facilities. The Management Committee met prior to this meeting and made recommendations which the meeting accepted in total. These were for a further development of the national organisation with representatives appointed by each club, the appointment of a National Rally Organiser from the Canterbury Sun and Health Society, while Gerald was requested to investigate the administration machinery. Canterbury's offer to be host for the sixth National Rally was accepted. The dates are to be decided later.
A feature of this rally was the New Year's Eve Celebrations. A member who is an ordained minister of religion, pronounced a benediction just before midnight. A few moments later New Year greetings were indulging wishes for ever greater success for nudist activities in 1957.
The interclub tenniquoits championship competing for the Perc. Cousins Shield was another highlight. Games were fought hard but Jim and Nancy of Wanganui again beat all comers and retained the trophy.
Evening entertainments were held in "Covent Garden". The Wellington Sun and Health Society Drama Group presented the first show. The amusing sketches produced by Perc. had everyone chuckling. The highlight of the evening was Viv. whose conjuring left everyone speechless. He could certainly make more than clothes disappear; there was nothing up his sleeves - no sleeves. Movies and stills of club activities were screened on following evenings. They were voted of great interest especially as commentaries by members accompanied the viewing. The films are a worthwhile feature of the rallies and give everyone a better appreciation of other clubs progress and problems.
The few brief hours of sunshine on the afternoon of the second day enabled the children's entertainment to be a real success. Races, lolly scrambles, and novelty events caused hilarious fun. The shrieks of the younger fry was hardly sufficient to drown the mirth of the so young.
Fun and high spirits were still apparent in spite of the weather. "Covent Garden" residents found the comfort, of Lilo mattresses deteriorating rapidly one morning. Who pulled those pugs out? And the enthusiastic teenagers who insisted on Pug's lessons of rock-and-roll pulsated rhythm every evening after tea. My! My! It's the next best thing to a course in physical jerks.
Some stayed on to enjoy slowly improving weather but the majority wished many new friends farewell with assurances of reunions in Christchurch in 1958. Plans for chartering aircraft to take members to the "mainland" were probably inspired by Trevor's flight north, plus Paul's offer to make aircraft available if required. The 6th National Rally will probably be an air invasion so lookout Canterbury.
Again thanks to Ivan and his club for the excellent facilities and well organised programme. They have been a great help making the rally another success for which the New Zealand movement is sincerely grateful.
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NATIONAL REVIEW |
In order to ensure that all members receive copies of the Review, the Wellington Sun and Health Society includes a subscription in the annual fee. Why not make a similar suggestion at your next Annual Meeting? Support our own magazine and encourage others to read it also.
CANADIAN |
An English letter relating a visit to Canadian clubs. |
Although I have been a keen nudist for a number of years and have visited several clubs, including Sheplegh, I have never been a regular club member so, when I decided to visit Canada I wondered what sort of a welcome I would receive from nudists in that country. However, armed with a letter of introduction from a friend who is known to the Canadian Sunbathing movement, I took a chance. I found that the introduction was greatly appreciated by club secretaries and officers and that it smoothed the way for me. I mention this for the benefit of those who are thinking of visiting clubs in other countries. A little preliminary work will iron out most difficulties.
I had written a preliminary letter to the Secretary of the Vancouver clubs and had been given the private address of "Walter", the chairman of "Sol Sante". I lost no time in calling on him and was not only given a friendly welcome but was soon completely at home. This club has a site in the Shawnigan Lake Cobble Hill district about 30 miles out of Victoria and on the following Saturday I went by bus, was met by Walter at Cobble Hill and led along the trail to the camp entrance. The site is comparatively new and much development remains to be done. At present most members use tents, but this did nothing to lessen the nudist atmosphere or the enjoyment. The day was hot and sunny and I was at once warned not to overdo it and, in fact, found it necessary to replace some clothing as the day went on. Volley-ball is the favourite game, but hardened members agreed that it was too hot, so we passed the time in swimming in the "lake" a natural swimpool fed from a stream, and talking. I was invited to join Walter, Don, Secretary Dick and his wife Ann at supper - and to come back on the following Saturday.
It was cooler during my second visit and we were a11 able to work on construction of a wading pool for the children. I much enjoyed this work beside of new-found friends, providing future pleasure for the kiddies, and feeling that, if I should ever again visit Canada, there would still be a welcome for me at "Sol Sante".
Before I left I was told a story which should be of great interest to those who believe in Nudism as a road to good health. One member underwent a serious operation last year and was told that the period of convalescence would last at least six months. At the end of three months he felt fit and being anxious to get back to work, went to see his doctor. His application was turned down, but he persisted and finally the doctor agreed to examine him. He passed as perfectly fit, the doctor commenting on his wonderful tan. "I am a nudist", explained the member. The doctor simply said "Go back to work and keep right on being a nudist."
I was given a personal letter of introduction to "Sunny Trails" and on my first visit in Vancouver I made my way to the club. Here, again, I found a friendly welcome and received the impression that members of the club felt quite honoured to be visited by an English nudist.
This club has a fine site where members are building their own chalets. They have an extensive lake for swimming and boating, a pool for the children, grounds well laid out for games and with flower-beds and, in fact, all those facilities nudists expect to find in a well-established club in any part of the world. They also have a club snack bar and buffet. Ray Connet, well-known not only among Canadian nudists but also in Britain, is the Secretary.
I paid a second visit on the Sunday, when nearly one hundred members, of all ages, were present. By far the largest nudist gathering I have ever seen.
I left my new friends reluctantly, hoping to be able to accept their invitation to "Come again" and deeply appreciating the friendly welcome I, an unknown visitor from England, had, received among nudists of Western Canada.
I believe the welcome would have been there in any case but I feel bound to repeat the advice I have already given: obtain an introduction, or carry credentials when you visit a club in another country and make sure that you will be welcome.
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THE |
By Perc. W. Cousins. |
My attention has recently been drawn to what I consider an extremely vital and important subject and one that is seldom referred to in our periodicals... the lives we live away from the clubs.
One leader of a N.Z. club has stated that what he does in his private life is entirely his business and nothing to do with the club of which he is proprietor. This office would be failing in its duty by not challenging this statement.
We all know that we live in a doubting and critical world and people seen to be only too pleased to confirm their erroneous theories by saying, "I told you so". They are only too quick to pin something onto our movement, when maybe the incident has little or nothing to do with it. The sensational press is usually looking for the opportunity of dishing up some piece of scandal and typing it in with nudism and in such cases it is the nudist movement that suffers.
I have just attended a creditors meeting of a bankrupt bookseller who had been selling our magazines. Her doing so was a perfectly harmless business transaction and meant no more than that. Various lawyers besieged her with a cross fire of wordy artillery. One in particular belaboured her with all sorts of questions about her stocking our magazines. Again and again he tried to prove that she was a member of the local nudist club. My name was mentioned in the court during the cross-examination. Incidentally I felt glad that I could have faced them with a free conscience had the necessity arisen. Fortunately the bankrupt woman was not a member and said so, but I shudder to think what legal minds and certain newspapers could've done with such a story even though her affiliation could have been of the most harmless kind. Why should this solicitor want to prove that she was a member of a nudist club before over 100 creditors and others? It is obvious that he wished to make her position less agreeable and use such evidence against her. Regardless of the true position as we know it, this could have resulted in undesirable publicity that we would have found hard to refute.
As a protection to the movement that means so much to us and with a desire to keep it above all possibility of attack or suspicion, every one of us must live the sort of life that our movement stands for. We too must so conduct our affairs that we gain nothing but respect and admiration. That means not only when we are at camp but always. If this is too much to ask, surely the living of a double life is hardly compatible with the high ideals that nudism stands for.
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MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE |
A summary of the recommendations |
Photographs: |
Photographs will only be taken on the 1st of a 2 day rally and on the 1st and 2nd days of a 3 day rally. A11 subjects will sign their approval on the spot, other wise the print and negative will be destroyed. The host club will arrange for photographs to be processed overnight to enable prints to be viewed before the rally closes. It will also provide the photographers who will be responsible also for taking orders, making prints available and obtaining approval from the subjects.
National Organisation:
1. Each club shall appoint a national organisation representative.
2. Some of these representatives shall be given the additional responsibility of a national activity, e.g. membership, national rallies etc.
3. Representatives shall meet at national rallies and once or twice, as necessity arises, during the year.
4. Each functional representative, as in 2 above, shall hold office for 3 years.
5. Voting shall be based on registered members, one vote for every 10 members. Absent clubs may vote by proxy, allocating this duty to another club.
Gerald and Stewart are to responsible for articles for overseas journals.
Gerald is appointed to investigate the administration problems of the national organisation.
The national rally organiser be the Canterbury Sun and Health Club representative since the 1958 Rally will be held in Christchurch.
"National Review" Subscriptions:
In order to establish a financial reserve, the subscription shall be raised to 5/- per annum. Cyclostyling shall continue but a printed cover shall be provided.
Mr. and Mrs. Naturist Competition:
Insufficient member interest defeated this proposal.
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NEWS FROM THE CLUBS...
Kaurimu Sun Club (Proprietory) Box 38 Henderson. Auckland.
Auckland Sun Club (Proprietory) Box 2925, Auckland.
The access drive is now completed. Ray the president is in poor health and expects to enter hospital soon. We all wish him a speedy recovery and plenty of sun to help.
Waikato Health Club. P.O.Box 32, Hamilton East.
Gisborne Sun Club. c/- Box 6359, Wellington.
The problems of leadership and organising outings are the major difficulties. A fine location has a very poor access but its beauty is worth the effort. Fencing the property is the main activity at the moment.
Otago Sun and Health Club. (Members) Box 2058, South Dunedin.
Wellington Sun and Health Society. (Inc.) (Members) Box 6359
The weather for the Xmas party proved disappointing; nevertheless the Press gave very favourable reports. The roof is on the clubhouse, the floor laid and the linings going on the walls - progress at last. Attendances are very good and the New Year's hot weather discouraging work.
Canterbury Sun and Health Society (Inc.) (Members) Box 1823 Christchurch.
The weather has been too hot to work so that the swimming poor excavation has been suspended until next month. Membership grows slowly, single men being the greater number of applicants.
Wanganui Sun Club (Proprietory) Box 410, Wanganui.
At the request of members, Ivan has agreed to form a committee and establish an organisation of members so that the club now functions more like a non-proprietary club. This does take some of the load off Ivan's shoulders.
Auckland Outdoor Health Club, (Inc.) (Members) Box 2702 Auckland.
CUSTOMS |
This office has received a letter from the Minister of Justice relating to the seizure, distribution and sale of our magazines. Its tone is most cooperative and indicates his approval of certain of them being made available for sale in the shops. Efforts are being made to permit bona fide members the right or receiving the other type or magazines including unretouched illustrations. As the Minister has been good enough to leave the matter open for further negotiation, we are confident that a favourable report will be available for the next Review. Meantime we would urge all who have been subscribing to or distributing publications with unretouched illustrations, to wait until our negotiations are concluded before continuing any further.
This office sincerely thanks all who helped by writing to the Customs Department expressing their disapproval of their action in seizing some of our magazines.
Noted:-
Perc Cousins: The Private Life of a Nudist; Editors
Eileen (of Wanganui): The Wanganui Sun Club