Bomb advice ruled indecent

Press, 9 May 1984, Page 6

Bomb advice ruled indecent

PA Wellington A book describing in simple terms how to construct explosives from easily obtained material has been classified as indecent by the Indecent Publications Tribunal. In a judgment, the tribunal said the book, “Explosives and Propellants from Commonly Available Materials,” would be a very useful addition to the library of anyone bent on criminal activity. The book had been imported privately through the mail from the United States.

Forfeiture had been disputed by the importer. The tribunal said, “Recent events in Wellington give an added emphasis to our reasons for classifying as indecent those publications covered by Decision 1081.” In that decision, also covering the importation of weaponry and explosives books, the tribunal had emphasised that “indecent” included “describing, depicting, expressing or otherwise dealing with matters of sex, crime, cruelty or violence in a manner that is injurious to the public good.” Of the book before it, the tribunal said, “The instructions are clear, precise and, in some cases, extremely simple. They utilise materials readily available and some of the processes contain a high element of risk.”