Burroughs Novel Held Indecent

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31530, 18 November 1967, Page 40

Burroughs Novel Held Indecent

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Nov. 17. One book was declared indecent and another restricted to professional psychiatrists during the last hearing today of the Indecent Publications Tribunal to be chaired by Sir Kenneth Gresson. “Naked Lunch,” a paperback by William S. Burroughs, published by the

Grove Press, New York, was held to be indecent. “The Story of O,” a hardback novel by Pauline Reage, published by the same firm, was restricted to professional psychiatrists. The tribunal was prepared to concede that the purpose of the author of “Naked Lunch” was a sincere one. “His exploration of the foul and obscene in an effort to expose the evils of drug peddling and addiction may be valid,” said Sir Kenneth Gresson, reading the Tribunal’s decision. “Nevertheless, we find it has been organised with such gusto and so much revelling

in sheer filth as to constitute an affront to decency. “Whatever its literary value we consider that it is ruled out from indiscriminate circulation by consideration of the public interest. “We hold the opinion that a book so revolting as this requires a great deal of positive evidence to show that there is some community value before it can be accepted.” “The Story of O” was a work of virtuosity rather than of art and circulation should be restricted to professional psychiatrists, the Tribunal decided. “It is in the tradition of de Sade and, as has been

pointed out, stresses the ‘bondage* theme between the sadistically dominant male and the masochistic submissive female.” The book exploited this theme too immoderately for It to be approved for general circulation, said Sir Kenneth Gresson. A member of the Tribunal, Mrs A. B. Cochran, told Sir Kenneth Gresson that his kindness, experience, liberal outlook, wisdom and good humour would be missed on the Tribunal. “We have been quite a happy team,” he replied. He said the work had been very agreeable but he was not now keeping “really fit”.