‘Blue’ videos ‘would make bars men-only’

Press, 27 May 1985, Page 9

‘Blue’ videos ‘would make bars men-only’

PA Wellington A women’s group opposed to pornography says the showing of "skinflick” vidoes in bars will effectively return hotels to men-only territory. Women Against Pornography made the claim yesterday and repeated earlier calls for the resignation of the Chief Film Censor, Mr Arthur Everard. He was quoted on Friday as saying that an erotic movie could be shown in a public bar provided it had been passed and classified by the film censor and that age restrictions were policed. “In view of Mr Everard’s past record of ignoring women’s opposition to pornography, we demand his replacement by a

tribunal which will be truly accountable to the public, the majority of which are women,” W.A.P. said. Mr Everard said that examples were seven video movies in the “Electric Blue” series which had been passed by the censor with age restrictions of 18 to 20 years. Distributors of other videos in the same series, which have not been passed, face court proceedings on charges under the Indecent Publications Act.

Mr Everard said the only legal problem that could arise if “skinflick” videos were shown in bars were:

@ If the video was not identical to the version passed by the film censor. ® If the video could be seen from outside the bar or

from a neighbouring restaurant where children were permitted. © If under-age drinkers escaped a policing system.

Most video retailers were “pretty responsible” about children buying or borrowing unsuitable movies, Mr Everard said. He was concerned that complaints could be laid and videos seized even though they had been classified and passed by the censor.

An inter-departmental committee report, for the Justice, Customs, and Internal Affairs departments, on video and film censorship has been completed and will go to the Ministers concerned this week.

The report was expected to be released publicly, Mr Everard said.