Synod Censures Newspapers

Press, Volume C, Issue 29567, 17 July 1961, Page 7

Synod Censures Newspapers

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 15. The Wellington Diocesan Synod last night censured the newspaper publication of details of immoral acts. It was decided by an amended motion that Synod urge the Government to introduce legislation to prohibit such publication and to ask its public and social affairs committee to investigate this and other problems of censorship.

Synod first went into committee to debate the matter but later standing orders were suspended and synod resumed in open debate. Waving a copy of a publication which he did not mention by name, the vicar of Waiwhetu (the Rev. A. F. Spence) took strong exception to a front-page story, the publication of which, he said, degraded the church's belief and teachings on Holy Matrimony. “What I may say may land me in gaol,” he said. “If so,

I hope I have friends who will feed me through the bars.” Publication of such details of immoral acts, Mr Spence said, could have a detrimental effect upon the lives of many young people. “It is time the Church stood up, and gave its opinions on such matters with weight. “We read a lot about the freedom of the newspapers and it really makes me laugh. Wh'at do we mean by ‘freedom?’ “We live in a society governed by rules. Parliament legislates for all of us. If we do not obey laws then there would be chaos. “Why cannot we follow the procedure of recent years in the divorce Courts, and mention only the names of the parties concerned? “There is no need to give us all these details,” said Mr Spence. The Diocesan Chancellor, Mr H. E. Evans, said that in a previous capacity as Solicitor- General, it had been his duty to advise on prosecutions in such matters. But unless there was a substantial prospect of success with a case it was far better not to risk a prosecution. He could not recall one case where he had advised a prosecution and there had been a failure. He recalled that the “Lolita” case had gone to the Court of Appeal, and a conviction had been upheld by a narrow majority. He had not read the book, and it had not been his duty to advise upon it. But after reading the judgment of one learned judge the quotations given there were sufficient to convince him “that that sort of thing should not be given out to the public.” Just before the suspension of the debate the Rev. I. E. McKie moved as an amendment that the public and social affairs committee of synod be requested to investigate the problems of censorship.