A DECENT BUNCH

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30325, 28 December 1963, Page 10

A DECENT BUNCH

[By

WHIM WHAM]

Sir Kenneth Gresson, recently retired president of the Court of Appeal, will be chairman of the Indecent Publications Tribunal, of which the other four members will be Professor lan A. Gordon, head ol the English Department at Victoria University of Wellington; Mr J. H. E. Schroder, former Director of Broadcasting: Mr Stuart Perry. Wellington city librarian: and Mrs Joan Cochran, a teacher at Queen Margaret College, Wellington. “Between them, the members can claim the highest qualifications in the spheres of law literature, education, experience in journalism and knowledge of books.' said the Minister of Justice. Mr Hanan, announcing the appointments. Led by the noble Knight, Sir Kenneth Gresson, The Paladins of Decency now press on: Pick of the Nation’s Champions in that Field, Their dedicated Names at last revealed— And, as if Providence had so ordained, Within the Capital they’re All contained. Prof. lan Gordon (Hanan’s Household Piper) Tunes up his old Bagpipe, he’ll Scotch the Viper, He’ll slay the Dragon: at the lethal Blast, Indecency, the Monster, breathes its Last. Guarding the Flank, Jack Giant-Killer SchrodeBrings up his literary Front-end Loader, He’ll shift or sift, with Ease, Books by the Crateful, For which, may the Lord make Us truly grateful— Not that We are less thankful for the very Inspiring Presence of Librarian Perry, Or Mrs Cochran, mindful of the Needs Of Adolescence—what 5 Ac. A reads. Here’s the mysteriously potent FIVE That guards the DECENCY for which we strive. They’ll judge what suites all Ages and all Classes, What suits the Elite but won’t do for the Masses— With a Minimum of Publicity and Fuss, Since too much Knowledge isn’t good for Us. Thus Censorship, that sordid Operation, Presents a Front of shining Reputation, FIVE shining Reputations, I should say. They read! They rule! WE tremble, and obey. ... Sir, on my reasonably DECENT Shelf I scan the Books I chose to suit Myself. I didn’t ask Sir K., Professor G., Or Messrs S. or P., or Mrs C.— What’s More, I don’t propose to ask Them now. All those superior Qualities somehow Lose Lustre, as the Censor takes his Chair. If You were asked to make one, would You care To join the Five? Or rather, would You DARE?