Muggeridge In Aust.

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32034, 8 July 1969, Page 15

Muggeridge In Aust.

(N.Z. Press Assn. —CopsrinhtJ MELBOURNE, July 7. Britain’s controversial author and interviewer, Malcolm Muggeridge, describes the Queen as “a very pleasant middle to upper-class lady.”

Mr Muggeridge, who is 66, told reporters on his arrival in Australia for a series of television appearances: “The Royal soap opera will be killed by television programmes. TV programmes about the Queen and her Family have exposed them as a nice family—just like something out of Coronation Street. The Queen is a very pleasant middle to upper-class

lady, with a talkative retired navy type for a husband.” Mr Muggeridge advocated a slow airline for those who hate travelling. “I hate travel of any kind,” he said. “I don't mind if you can stop now and then. If I owned an airline I would put on slow trips for people like me, who hate travelling.” His other comments included:

PARLIAMENT: “If you show it on television you will really kill it. And that would not be a bad thing, would it?”

THEATRE: “I loathe pornography on the stage and in books. It’s very boring. Spec-tator-sex is a sign of decadence. I am against lewdness and nudity in the theatre.” SEX: “We are living in a sex-saturated society. We are

obsessed with erotica. It’s destroying human life. Ultimately, against this sex mania will be a reaction that will result in puritanism.” CENSORSHIP: “It’s a hopeless dilemma. I have yet to see a system that will work. I don’t know how you can operate it. Books and plays are a matter of choice, but some form of censorship is needed for television. Any censorship will land you in absurdities.” BRITAIN: “ Since she has declined as an important power, the people have become infinitely nicer and more friendly. She is dominated, both financially and politically, by America. The Government is ghastly. However, Britain doesn’t seem to take . herself so seriously now.”