Publisher-M.P. Issues Writs

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31856, 7 December 1968, Page 13

Publisher-M.P. Issues Writs

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright)

PERTH (Australia), December 6. The British M.P. and publisher, Mr Robert Maxwell, and the International Learning Systems Corporation, Ltd, today issued three writs in Australia, each claiming slm in damages for defamation.

A writ served in Perth names as defendants Western Press, Ltd, and Frank Davidson, editor of the “Sunday Times.” because of an article in the “Sunday Times” on December 1 last. It claims that the article seriously injured the character, credit and reputation of Mr Maxwell in his offices as an M.P. and chairman of the Pergamon Press organisation.

The writ was issued out of the Supreme Court of Western Australia.

A Queensland Supreme Court writ served in Brisbane today claims damages from Mirror Newspapers, Ltd, and also seeks an injunction restraining the defendant company from publishing any further matter relating to the proceedings. In Melbourne, a Supreme

i Court writ names Southdown [Press Pty, Ltd, as the def endwant in an action over items [published last week in the i weekly newspaper, “Truth.” The writ served today also [seeks an injunction against i Southdown Press and asks for a trial by a judge alone. Mr Maxwell and International Learning Systems issued a writ in Sydney on [Wednesday claiming slm for I defamation from Mirror Newspapers, Ltd, and on the same day the plaintiffs also issued a writ in Adelaide for an unspecified amount for defamation from News,-Ltd.

The defendant companies are part of the newspaper group headed by Mr Rupert Murdoch, who is at present helping the “News of the World” to ward off a take over bid from Mr Maxwell, Labour M.P. for North Buckinghamshire.