Homosexual law bill likely

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33582, 10 July 1974, Page 3

Homosexual law bill likely

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 9. A bill on homosexual law changes might be introduced in Parliament later this year by a National Party member.

The member for Egmont, Mr V. S. Young, said today it was “highly likely” that homosexual law would be debated in Parliament later this year, and that he would probably introduce a bill himself. Some weeks ago, he had arranged for several National Party members to discuss the matter with members of the Homosexual Law Reform Society. DEEPER THOUGHT Although he had abstained from voting on the question at the recent conference of the National Party’s Wellington division, he had since given the matter much deeper consideration, and was now satisfied that “on the ground of equity in law, and on humanitarian grounds, the law should be changed.” But Mr Young said he could not countenance any change in the law if it Would lead to a greater incidence of young boys being molested. If he was satisfied that this would not be the case, he would be prepared to introduce a private member’s

bill, changing the law as it related to homosexual acts in private between consenting males. If a bill were introduced, Mr Young said, he would seek an assurance from the Prime Minister (Mr Kirk) that he would not use the powers available to him to prevent the bill from being properly considered. “DISCOURAGEMENT’ “The object of any change in legislation would be to remove the sense of legal guilt and fear of prosecution that affects the lives of many thousands of male homosexuals who are the innocent victims of heredity or their early environment,” said Mr Young. “I am convinced that the existing criminal law discourages homosexuals who need medical help, of one kind or another, from seeking this help. "A change in the law would not make homosexual activities any more acceptable by society, but would place New Zealand law on this matter in line with that in most other Western countries,” Mr Young said.