NUDISTS BRAVE GALE AT N.Z. CONVENTION

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28475, 3 January 1958, Page 6

NUDISTS BRAVE GALE AT N.Z. CONVENTION

The New Zealand Sun-bathing Association was formed on New Year’s Day in Canterbury; but the delegates were huddled together in their warmest clothes while wind and rain howled outside and the temperature rose no higher than 58 degrees. Yesterday more than 100 adults and about 50 children attending the national nudists’ convention discarded their clothes in the early afternoon when the sun broke through; but they still had to brave a southerly wind gusting up to 42 miles an hour.

“I’ve been a nudist all my life but I’m still a tenderfoot to the extent that I won’t take off my shoes,” said grey-haired Ivan of Wanganui, when the sports courts were cleared for a late start of inter-club tenniquoit and volleyball competitions Some players sought to induce more sunshine by wearing sun hats and dark glasses but the wind soon raised goose flesh.

First women began to throw a cardigan round their shoulders, then some put on their slacks. Men furtively retired to their tents and came out in shirts and shorts, although children still splashed naked in the new swimming pool. A reporter could not feel that those present had brought any dishonour to the movement. He was shivering, although fully dressed and wearing a thick Harris tweed sports coat.

The New Year weather was a profound disappointment to host members of the Canterbury Sun and Health Club. They have worked winter and summer for three years in preparation for this convention, with only occasional need to dress at any time because of bad holiday weather. The 50 adult visitors from five other clubs took it all philosophically. Their weather has been as bad for mosi of this season, and most of them were lily-white. The sports and social programme has had to be restricted but the arbitrary confinement inside the Canterbury pavilion or the big communal marquee has meant that more time has been devoted to the serious business of the convention. Sixth Convention

This is the sixth annual convention of seven loosely-knit autonomous sun clubs but the formation of the New Zealand Sunbathing Association will now permit co-ordinated development and the benefits of full affiliation with the International Naturist Federation.

Recognition of the national organisation is expected to assist materially in official negotiations. For instance, national leaders have recently had discussions with the Minister of Justice and the Customs Department about grounds for prosecution in and the importation of naturist literature. With the national body now formed, it is expected that agreement will be reached on publications which will be readily available through bookshops and those which may be obtained only by bone fide members through the new association. Plans have also been made for the publication of a “National Naturist Review.’’ Established nudist clubs in New Zealand now have more than 400 members and Canterbury is the strongest with more than 100 adults and about 60 children at its nine-acre property about 20 miles from Christchurch. Visitors believe this land has the greatest potentiality for development in New Zealand because it is level with natural breaks of trees and clearings. Auckland has 20 acres about 14 miles from the city but only six acres is at present usable. Wanganui’s headquarters are on a private farm only two miles out and the grounds are laid out in lawns, flower beds, and trees; but the space will soon be inadequate.

Wellington nudists have to travel 26 miles from the city. Otago has 50 acres about 14 miles from Dunedin; but much of it is hilly bush.

There are embryo clubs in other localities, whose members would bring the Dominion total to aboul 700. The new national association hopes to develop them to full club status. The national convention in Canterbury has appointed Mr Percy Cousins, of Wellington, as national secretary and Mr Stewart Ransome, of Wellington, as national public relations officer. The president of the host club will be the conference president. Next year’s convention will be in Wellington. Meanwhile the 50 visitors and 100 Canterbury members are hoping for a warm day today to make this year’s gathering worth while. After the bad start on New Year’s Day, brave progress with sports yesterday, and a concert and nudist films last evening, they still want some real sun bathing. Ironically, although there has been poor weather, a barbecue has had to be cancelled because of the fire danger.