File 18: Correspondence with Sir Warwick Fairfax, 1963-1971

MLMSS 9894/Box 1600

file

1963-1971

9601694

Handwritten memos from the treasurer on the presses and conversion for wider newsprint (26.8.1968) and on dividends and profits (28.2.1968)
Copy of a typed letter from Mr Henderson to Mrs. W. Fairfax (6.2.1963) explaining the reasons for no publicity being given to Fairfax functions except if worthiness justifies it.
United Kingdom newspaper clippings about Sir Warwick's visit to England and the possibility of the adoption of children. I968
Letters between Mr A. McLachlan and Mr. W. Fairfax 7 & 10.7.1967) and 25.7.1967) bring Mr Fairfax up to date on office matters, including a rumour of Sir Frank Packer wanting to sell.
Half year profit to December 1967 and Profit before tax 13.3.1968
Copy of letter from Mr McLachlan in reply to one from Sir Warwick (13.3.1968) about lifting of dividends, increase in salary for T.S. Monks and Sir Warwick's plan for adoption of a child.
Letter from Sir Warwick (21.3.1968) and reply from Mr McLachlan (28.3.1968) about the lifting of dividends and also mentioning the adoption
Photostat copy of a letter from Lady Fairfax (13.2.1968) to "Joe and Desiree" about a forthcoming visit to Sydney by Barbara Cartland and her two sons, with suggested ideas for their entertainment during their stay at Fairwater.
Copy of letter from Mr McLachlan to Sir Warwick (7.8.1967) giving details of the AJA strike and how the company was managing to bring out the papers as well as help Sir Frank Packer. Mention is also made that Sir Frank and Rupert Murdoch wanted to close down during the strike, and reluctantly agreed not to do so.
10 Letter from Sir Warwick. 25.8.1967 from Antibes asking questions about the strike. Reply from Mr McLachlan (1.9.1967) and also giving information about the annual accounts and profit.
11. Letter from Sir Warwick (11.9.1967) about the strike and profit statement and reply from Mr McLachlan
12 Photostat copy of a telegram from Sir Warwick to his secretary saying he would be staying longer in Venice (20.9.1967)
13 Copy of letter from Mr McLachlan to Sir Warwick enclosing copies of directors' reports to be incorporated in the annual report of John Fairfax Ltd and Associated Newspapers.
14 Handwritten memo from the treasurer to Mr McLachlan (3.10.1967) on the company's liquidity situation.
15 Copy of letter from Mr McLachlan to Sir Warwick (3.10.1967) informing him of the death of Oswald Syme and the effect of his death on the company's finances.
16 Photostat copy of an article from The Times "The Right to Observe" on British observers in Vietnam (11.10.1967) and a reply from Sir Warwick.
17 Copy of a letter from Mr McLachlan to Sir Warwick (9.10.1967) enclosing draft of his statement for the Annual General Meeting. (Mr McLachlan addressed the meeting in place of Sir Warwick because he was overseas).
18 Handwritten telex message to be sent to London for Sir Warwick informing him of the death of Oswald Syme and the acknowledgement from Sir Warwick.
19 Copy of a letter from Mr McLachlan to Sir Warwick saying everything went well at the A.G.M. and that a vote of thanks was moved by Mr. F.H. Terry who also asked that congratulations be conveyed to Sir Warwick on his knighthood.
20 Letter from Sir Warwick (16.10.1967) asking about the over-provision for income tax mentioned in the directors' report (attached hand-written memo from the treasurer gives the explanation) and also criticising several Herald leaders and articles. Reply from Mr McLachlan (20.10.1967)
21 Photostat copy of a telegram giving Sir Warwick's address in London.
22 Nine-page letter from Sir Warwick on the devaluation of the pound sterling and the coverage of it in our newspapers. Copies of leaders from Sydney Morning Herald for 20/11/1967; 21/11/1967; 22.11.1967; 23.11.1967; 27.11.1967; 1.12.1967 and an article by the financial editor 22.11.67 Reply from Mr McLachlan informing Sir Warwick of David Bowman's transfer from the Canberra Times to the Herald and also giving replies to Sir Warwick's criticisms of the leaders.
23 Letter from Sir Warwick (7.12.67) enclosing photostat of a letter from Barbara Cartland (6.12.67) about a possible forthcoming visit to Australia if we publish her articles in Woman's Day. Copy of telegraphed reply from Mr McLachlan.
24 Copy of letter from Mr McLachlan (14.12.67) setting out a proposal for a merger of Tasman and NZ Forest Products and a crisis at the ANM board because of the behaviour of Williams of the Melbourne Herald and the failure of the proposed merger through Williams's indiscretion and the disquiet in the Adelaide Advertiser and Melbourne Herald boards about Williams.
25 Letter from Sir Warwick (18.12.67) suggesting in the present world monetary situation the company should buy some gold, and asking for the board's opinion. Also a comment on articles in Sydney Morning Herald about the monetary crisis. Handwritten memo from the treasurer explaining the Banking Act's prohibition of the sale of gold in Australia except to industrial users or authorised dealers. Copy of teller of reply from Mr McLachlan (27.12.67). Copy of typed 5-page memo (20.12.67) by Mr McLachlan on a conversation he held with Mr J. McEwan in Canberra on the troubles between Mr W. McMahon and Mr McEwen. Copy of Mr McLachlan's reply to Sir Warwick (27.12.67)
26 Copy of memo from Herald acting news editor (24.2.68) to editorial manager about Sir Warwick's protest about Woollahra Council's proposal to build a swimming pool next to his property at Bellevue Hill.
27 Photostat of a telegram from Sir Warwick (Feb.68) about the life story of the Beatles being available for purchase about the
28 Letter from Sir Warwick Fairfax (Feb.68) about a half hour television program about Barbara Cartland called "No Looking Back".
29 Letter from Sir Warwick Fairfax (31.1.68) giving his opinion of the standard of the Herald's reporting and editorials during January and articles written by Evan Williams on contenders for the leadership and another series entitled "Problems for the New Prime Minister". Also lack of improvement in the women's pages. Sir Warwick also commented on Britain under a Labour government. Copy of reply from Mr McLachlan (6.2.6 8) explaining new plans for the women's pages and commenting on the present industrial troubles plaguing the country; his lunch at Kirribilli House with the new prime minister Gorton. Sir Warwick Fairfax's reply (13.2.68)
30 Telegram from London office giving the chairman's London address
31 Two memos from the Treasurer to Mr McLachlan Long term profit outlook 9.4.68 Profit in retrospect 10.4.68 Letter to Sir Warwick (18.4.68) enclosing these two memos, also telling him of the extremely difficult industrial situation because of an Arbitration Commission decision in the Metal Trades margins case, discussions held to overcome the situation and the possible outcome. Reply from Sir Warwick (23.4.6 8)
32 Copy of letter from Mr McLachlan to Sir Warwick (10.5.68) giving details of the settlement of the dispute over the PKIU rates (as above)
33 Copy of memo from Mr McLachlan to the Herald editor Mr Pringle (30.7.68) about the forthcoming visit of Edward Heath and cable from Sir Warwick about Heath's visit to Australia.
34 Photostat copy of letter from Sir Warwick to Mr Henderson (12.8.68), as chairman of ATN, about the effects of strikes in television in London and what if anything could be done if a similar situation occurred in Sydney.

35 Copy of letter to Sir Warwick (20.9.68) enclosing copy of the Directors' Report to be included in the Annual Report
36 Copy of a letter from Mr McLachlan to John Siddeley (20.9.68) about the possibility of Mr Siddeley contributing articles to a Homes Section in the Sydney Morning Herald. Copy of letter from Mr McLachlan to Sir Warwick (20.9.68) enclosing copy of the Siddeley letter and a letter of acknowledgement from Sir Warwick (23.9.68)/
37 Letter from John Siddeley (27.9.68) to Sir Warwick about his interest in contributing to the Sydney Morning Herald. Letter from Sir Warwick (7.10.6 8) enclosing the Siddeley letter.
38 Copy of Letter from the editor, Mr Pringle,(10.10.68) to Sir Warwick agreeing to publish a letter from the Duchess of Argyll.
39 Copy of letter from the London editor and manager (29.10.68) detailing payments made to Sir Warwick's personal staff. Also another letter (30.10.68) regarding travel arrangements to be made for Sir Warwick from Fremantle to Sydney. Copy of letter from London office (1.11.68) enclosing invoices detailing amounts expended for Sir Warwick during October and another letter (2.12.68) enclosing more invoices for money expended on behalf of the chairman during November and December.
40 Copy of correspondence between Sir Warwick and H.A. Fox & Co re air conditioning of Sir Warwick's Phantom V Rolls Royce. Copy of letter from The Financial Times (23/10/68) to Sir Warwick about the luncheon Sir Warwick attended at the Financial Times and the possibility of the general manager (A.V. Hare) visiting Australia. Letter from Sir Warwick to Mr McLachlan (25.10.68) enclosing above correspondence and giving some details of the overland trip on his return to Sydney.
41 Front page of b & t magazine (27.3.69) covering an item about a letter Sir Warwick wrote to AANA re advertising rate increases.
42 P 13 from the 8.3.69 issue of Nation signed "from a London correspondent" about three letters written to various British publications from Sir Warwick, Francis James and Sol Chandler.
43 Letter from the Independent Cemetery Trust (8.1.69) regarding the graves of John Fairfax and John West.
44 Copy of telex message from Sir Warwick (3.1.69) to the London office, asking them to inform the Duke of Rutland that Prime Minister Gorton and his wife would be in England on January 6 and suggesting he might like to invite them to Belvoir.
45 Copy of inter office telex from the Melbourne Herald to the Sun editor requesting the date of Sir Warwick's return to Sydney.
Copy of letter from Mr McLachlan to Sir Warwick (29.2.68) about the March interim dividend and the appointment of a new advertising manager, Mr Sid Piddington. Reply from Sir Warwick (5.3.68) and also a second letter of the same date about T.S. Monks's salary.
46 Leader (SMH) for 3.1.68 - "The Choice"
47 Copy of a memo from Miss Thirkell on behalf of Mr McLachlan (17.4.70) to Sir Warwick Copy of memo from Miss Thirkell on behalf of Mr McLachlan (23/4/70) to Sir Warwick saying he would be unable to attend the board meeting that day. Memo from Sir Warwick to Mr McLachlan (19.10.70) about the journalists' strike paper "The Clarion" and Mr Kippax's part in its production. Copy of memo from Sir Warwick to Vincent Fairfax (21.10.70) about Mr Kippax and his duties during the editor's absence. Copy of another memo from Sir Warwick to Vincent Fairfax (22.10.70) about Mr Kippax and other staff who wrote for The Clarion. Memo from Sir Warwick to Mr McLachlan (11.11.70) enclosing copy of a memo about proposed changes in the Herald make-up. Top of PI of Sydney Morning Herald for Monday 18/1/71 which sets out the details of the new Herald format. Copy of memo from Mr McLachlan to Sir Warwick (6.10.71) about articles and editorials in the Financial Review.

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Original Fairfax number - 1340.06