Your browser is not supporting the menu script - please use the Overview page to navigate
[The National Review - Spring] Editor: Stewart Ransom (Pages: 12 - 5/- per annum)
Contents:-
Editorial
9 Ways to kill a club
A National Organisation
Naturist Handbook Review
News From the Clubs (9)
National Rally Reminders
The Northern Nudist Club (Dick Whittington, Saies, Northland - 140 acres.)
Editorial. |
"Naturism" verses "Nudism" seems a hardy annual for discussion in our magazines. It seems to be very important to many to be able to recognise a well defined distinction and considerable effort is spent trying to clarify the difference. Is it really important? In some clubs naturism also implies vegetarianism as well as abstaining from alcohol and smoking. Developing physical fitness and healthy living is also emphasised by club activities. It has wider meaning than social nudity.
The aim of |
A healthy mind in a body is undoubtedly the prime purpose of nudism. They are inter-dependent and predominately follow as a result of naked enjoyment of sunshine and air. The inclusion of many other diet limitations and exercise assist in this direction but only as an adjunct. They are an individuals choice for their personal benefit and surely not necessarily an essential part of naturism.
Nudism can be equated with cleanliness, frankness and honesty. It has removed the distorted impressions concerning sex, it encourages an honest acceptance of human physical differences, the less perfect form is more common than the perfect and becomes generally accepted. Self-consciousness, surprisingly enough to the uninitiated, disappears and nakedness is not consciously realised. Ill health, often a reason for joining a club, no longer dominates the individuals concern for pleasant company, exercise or relaxation with sunshine and fresh air creates a brighter spirit and a cheerfulness which goes far to promote improved health. Whether these activities be called naturism or nudism the purpose and result is still the same.
. . . . . . . .
9 WAYS TO |
Pertinent points from Norm. of W.S.H.S.
1. Don't go to socials or meetings.
2. If you do, go late.
3. Whenever you attend a meeting, find fault with the President and other officers.
4. Never accept an office, it's so much better to sit back and criticise.
5. If you are appointed on a committee, don't go to a meeting. If you are appointed, get peeved about it.
6. When your opinion is asked at a meeting, reply that you have nothing to say, but after the meeting, tell everyone just how things should be done.
7. Do nothing more than is absolutely necessary. When others do the lion's share tell everyone the club is run by a clique.
8. Don't hurry about paying your sub, wait until the end of the season or don't pay at all.
9. Don't bother about getting new members, let the old ones who do the work do that too.
A NATIONAL ORGANISATION:
THE FIRST STEPS. by Gerald,
Auckland Outdoor
Health Club (Inc).
At the last rally I was asked to put forward a scheme for a National Organisation. Here it is. This part consists of the reasons for having it, some of the advantages in it and the obligations which I consider we all should accept, and a suggested framework for it. Enclosed loose with this number of the Review you will find a sheet with a summary of the proposals and a questionnaire for you to fill in.
Please give this some thought and let me have your comments, favourable or otherwise and preferably constructive, so that something definite can be hammered out at the next Rally.
WHY HAVE AN |
You have only to look around you to see how necessary a national body is in every sphere or life. Whatever we think as individuals (and nudists seem to tend to anarchy!) surely we must admit that, to be listened to we must get some sort of an organisation that is an elected body that represents us all.
If you doubt this take our talks earlier this year with Government Departments. Percy, Stewart and I (or someone else) should have been able to go saying that we represented all the naturists of New Zealand and that we were authorised to negotiate in their name. As it was, the best we could do was to say that Percy was the National Organizer (but that did not mean he could speak for everybody) and that Stewart and I represented our own clubs - not even all the naturists in our area. Although we were well received and it was obvious that there was no objection to our movement, we had a good hearing and are well satisfied with the results or our talks we were agreed afterwards that our case would have been much more effective if we could have spoken as the elected representatives or a national body comprising the naturists or New Zealand and including both clubs and individuals. As it is, our agreement favours clubs at the expense or the individual because we could only show that we had control of a sort as far as the clubs were concerned but we were unable to show any sort of a national organisation that would imply responsibility in individual members.
Starting a national organisation now isn't putting the cart before the horse. To continue the metaphor, right now we've got a horse but we're all trying to ride him and he can only take a limited number. It's time we got a cart to take the extra load, to have spare room for more - and to impress the neighbours.
Again, to get ahead at all as a movement we must have people from the main centres at least getting together about three times a year to plan publicity and to co-ordinate activities for the promotion or naturism in New Zealand. I'm sure we're all agreed that we don't want to push naturism down anyone's throat but, on the other hand, to assure ourselves of our rightful place in the sun both physically and metaphorically we must see that our point or view gets over to everyone else in the community - and that's not done to best effect by leaving it to one or two people. Such get-togethers cost money and you can't expect individuals to pay for it.
Do you need any more reasons? If you do, you shouldn't.
OBLIGATIONS AND |
Although it's very nice to lie the sun and let the other joker worry about everything each individual who subscribes to the idea or naturism must accept that its advantages imply obligations as well. The establishment of a national organisation is just putting this truism into practical terms.
THE FRAMEWORK. |
All right, you might say, we'll grant you what you've waffled about so far but how are you going to make the thing work? Well, here's a framework, if nothing else. At least it will give those who go to the rally and those who read this something to think about and I hope that all will let me know what they think about it. I'm sorry that I will not be at the Rally to push my point but there will be some people from A.O.H.C. to fight my battle for me! So here goes:
Objects: To provide an organisation through which naturists throughout New Zealand can combine to develop the movement.
To provide news and other services to naturists, whether members of clubs or not.
To provide the means of introducing naturists to each other; both in New Zealand and overseas.
To decentralise the functions now assumed by the National Organiser with a view to wider representation of views and greater concentration on individual aspects thereof that will come about from specialisation whilst retaining central guidance.
To do all such things as are beneficial to the growth or the naturist movement in New Zealand whether in Clubs or outside.
Membership: Membership shall be open to genuine naturists under two categories:
(a) Club members
(b) Individual members
Club members shall be those individuals who, while taking a personal interest in the National Association and its affairs, elect to receive all material relating to membership through their own club.
Individual members shall be those, whether members of recognised clubs or not, who elect to receive all material relating to membership direct to a private address. There shall be two classes or Individual Membership:
(i) Corresponding
(ii) Visiting
A Corresponding Individual Member shall be any person professing to support the objects or the Association who is a financial member.
A Visiting Individual Member shall be a member of the Association who has satisfied the executive of an Affiliated Club that he is a fit person to visit its premises in the same circumstances as its own members, such Visiting Individual membership giving the right to attend National Rallies and being a recommendation to Affiliated Clubs to permit the member to make use of their facilities subject to each individual club's by-laws and charges.
Affiliation: |
Clubs that are recognised by the Council of the Association as supporting the objects of the Association shall be termed Affiliated Clubs and, whilst not paying a subscription fee, sha11 be free to make donations from time to time and shall be liable for a service fee in respect of any service carried out which is to the benefit of the Club as an organisation rather than to individual members (e.g. the preparation of drawings for a swimming pool).
Eligibility for |
Both Club Members and Visiting Individual Members shall be eligible for election to office in the Association.
Office holders: |
There shall be a President, a Secretary-Treasurer and up to eight Council Members, the governing body consisting of these office holders and being termed the Council of the Association. Whilst the President and Secretary-Treasurer may be situate anywhere in New Zealand there shall not be more than two (2) Council Members in each of the main centres and one in any other city, town, or rural district.
Duties of Office holders: |
The President shall co-ordinate the activities of the Council, preside at its meetings and undertake such other general or specific duties as shall be decided from time to time.
The Secretary-Treasurer shall combine The functions of Secretary and Treasurer both in regard to the business of the Council and to that of the Association as a whole.
Each Council Member shall be assigned a specific share of the responsibility for the efficient organisation of the naturist movement in New Zealand for the country as a whole (e.g. membership; Press relations; advertising; publications; rallies; future policy; special affairs; interests of women and children) and he shall, at the same time, represent, either singly or conjointly, his area of the country at Council, meetings and on other occasions as the need arises.
Subscriptions: shall in the first instance, be as follows:
Visiting Individual Member £1 p.a.
Corresponding " " 15/-p.a.
Club Member " " 10/-p.a.
(Note: Subscription for Club Members is less in view of the saving in postage and other costs through bulk deliveries through clubs).
Privileges of membership: |
Membership of any sort shall entitle the member to receive each issue of the National Naturist Review and such other publications as are issued from time to time, subject to provisos on cost, to be kept informed of naturist activities in New Zealand and overseas and to be given facilities to qualify for Visiting Individual membership or Club membership.
Visiting Individual Membership shall bring the additional benefit of a membership card which will give admission to National Rallies and, by reason of mentioning what club has approved the member's membership, shall be an introduction and recommendation to other clubs and it shall also ensure that all matter issued by the Association shall be posted direct to the member.
Club members shall likewise be provided with a membership card which will be an introduction and recommendation to other clubs.
In neither of these cases, however, is it implied or intended that the right of each club to determine who shall or shall not visit its premises shall be overridden nor shall the powers of the Management Committee at National Rallies be deemed to be overridden.
THE NEXT STEP. |
Well, there you are; there's something to get started on. The next step is for you to fill in the enclosed questionnaire and to get it back to me either directly or through your club or Perc. or Stewart so that I can an idea what the response is.
If the response is, on the whole, favourable then we can go ahead and get together a Caretaker Council that can start the Association off and get it to the point where we can make the 1959 Rally the first Annual General Meeting of the Association at which officers can be elected.
AM I WASTING |
Am I?
You tell me!
NATURIST HANDBOOK REVIEW. |
The International Naturist Federation INF/FNI publication is a concise description or naturist clubs and their facilities throughout the world. Published in French, German and English, it gives a full description of the extent of the movement and its aspirations.
The contents first give a brief history of the movement and a short description of the aims and objects of the INF/FNI. This is followed by sections on international youth activities, naturist international passports, hospitality exchange service, correspondence service, international ideas, naturist magazines, the structure or the INF/FNI - member countries - their clubs and groups, and a camp and holiday guide.
The greater part of this 128 page publication is taken up by the list or clubs in each country and the facilities they offer. These descriptions include the extent to which alcohol, tobacco and meat consumption is prohibited. In spite of its brevity it gives an adequate description or the wide variety of clubs and organisations. Many have very limited facilities and can cater for few visitors. It certainly reveals the enthusiasm and struggle of the many keen supporters or social nudity, and while many clubs are still in their infancy with few members or facilities, their enthusiasm and intention to improve their clubs are indicated by their membership of the INF and being listed in this directory. Some can offer little more than camping facilities while others provide gymnasiums, saunas and most elaborate accommodation for guests.
There are 32 member countries listed and this is an invaluable guide to those who may seek to visit clubs overseas. Apart from this, the directory is a valuable account of world progress.
NEWS FROM THE CLUBS ...
Kaurimu Sun Club. (Members) Box 15, Glen Eden Auckland.
Auckland Sun Club. (Proprietary) Box 2925, Auckland.
Auckland Outdoor Health Club (Inc). (Members) Box 2702, Auckland.
Although, in company with Messrs. Watts and Nash, and not a few others, the problems of finance - or the lack of it - weigh rather heavily with us, we do feel that we are starting to see a return for much of the hard work we have put in, in the last two 'off seasons'. We have a fine concrete bridge that, I'm convinced, would take any weight and therefore have access to all parts of the grounds. This will allow the two private baches that are waiting to be put up, to go ahead. Other developments are under way that should ensure that we have the essential facilities for an enjoyable summer even if we have to put off some of our more ambitious schemes till the bank balance is happier. By the time you will have read this we will have kicked off the season with a children's party given by Jock and Biddy for Susan; have held, within 24 hours of each other, a dance and the annual general meeting and generally be all set for the summer.
If anyone is bound for Auckland this summer we shall be glad to see them. There will be someone staying out at the club for most of the Christmas-New Year period. January and February so we look forward to an enjoyable time.
Waikato Health Club. (Members) Box 32 Hamilton East.
Gisborne Sun Club. (Members) c/- Box 6359 Wellington.
A visitor, after passing through many paddocks emphasised the remoteness of the club commented on the "7 gates to heaven."
A member of the club offers a holiday during the summer for a nudist family who have no means or getting around. Please contact the National Organiser.
Wanganui Sun Club. (Members) Box 410 Wanganui
Another first is recorded when 2XA "Town Topics" announced the opening of the season of the club. The club's preparations to hold the tenniquoits shield at the National Rally to be held at Christchurch was included in the broadcast.
Wellington Sun and Health Society (Inc) (Members) Box 6359, Wellington.
The Annual General Meeting was well attended with Annette and Dexter being elected to the committee. Stewart remains President, Perc as P.R.O. and Doug Secretary-Treasurer. The excavation of the pool has been recommenced by the contractor to everyone's delight, so we hope to start concreting soon.
Canterbury Sun and Health Club. (Members) Box 1823 Christchurch.
Otago Sun and Health Club. (Members) Box 2058 Dunedin.
The last stages of the excavating of the pool uncovered several very hard quartzy boulders up to 3 and 4 feet across. These are in addition to the thousands or smaller rocks already dug out. Some charges of gelignite broke up some of the biggest of the boulders and gave the kids a few thrills. With broken rock lying every where and hammers swinging the place has looked lately more like a prison quarry. However we are practically ready now to finish concreting the walls and then we'll have the floor and a 3 foot path surround to concrete. The thought of manhandling cement up to the site isn't a pleasant one. Even apart from the pool itself there is still a very large amount of earth moving to do, to get a narrow lawn on one side and a tenniquoit court on the other. Plastering the pool will probably be left over till next year.
Social evenings have been held when at one, the short film or the Auckland Club's activities was screened. There is expected to be a good representation from Dunedin at the National Rally, and we are hoping as many Northerners as possible will find their way here after it.
NATIONAL RALLY REMINDERS |
The 1958 National Rally to be held at the Canterbury Sun and Health Club grounds is now only 6 weeks off. Club Secretaries are reminded to make application for admission cards immediately, for members who have not attended a Rally before, These along with other enquiries should be addressed to Trevor Berland, Box 1823, Christchurch, the Rally Organiser. Remember Plane and Ferry bookings are an urgent priority, so don't delay. Dates 1st - 3rd Jan.
. . . . . .
THE NORTHERN NUDIST CLUB. |
A brief call at Dick's in September did not do justice to an adequate survey or the grounds. 140 acres of virgin bush surrounded by high peaks and deep valleys offers a primeval magnificence for those who will travel far to enjoy a unique experience. The property is approximately 10 miles from Saies on the Otangaroa Road. A large gate marked Whittington Road indicates the entrance to a ½ mile climb along a logging track to the edge of the grounds. It requires a heavy car (a Morris Minor is too light) and dry weather before making the venture. There are no facilities but an ideal camping holiday in the subtropical north is promised with perfect surroundings for naturism. Intending visitors must first make enquiries from Dick Whittington, Saies, Northland.
.. .. .. .. .. ..
(Advert.)
A SERVICE FOR NEW ZEALAND NATURISTS.
Subscriptions to naturist periodicals for individuals or clubs as permitted (see our advertisement in the last issue of the Review).
Films developed: we act as agents for a confidential and competent service to which you can send your naturist films. (We have used this service for over four years).
THE WAKELYS C.P.O. Box 2656 Auckland C.1.
Noted:-
Gerald Wakely: A National Organisation; Editors