A NEWSPAPER AND ITS LIBEL ACTIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1920, Page 3

A NEWSPAPER AND ITS LIBEL ACTIONS

SYDNEY. June 15. One of the most interesting political and journalistic developments of the past year has been the establishment of the newspaper known as “Smith’s Weekly”. It was founded last year by Joynton Smith, a very wealthy owner of high-class hotels, and an ex-Lord Mayor of Sydney. He can lay no claim to distinction in letters—ho is not even a journalist—but his native shrewdness enabled him to select the right men to control the paper for him. The money behind the founder enabled the paper, right from the moment of its establishment to “go after” unpopular ‘ persons and institutions without fear or favour. It has especially attacked those suspedted of profiteering—irrespective of whether they are big advertisers or not—and politicians believed to have been associated with “boodling.” It lias brought upon itself, in consequence, a really remarkable crop of libel actions; but it has secured an equally phenomenal subscription list. The people generally seem to have extraordinary confidence in the paper—a fact contributed to m no small degree by the comparative passivity ef the big dailies in the face of cases of gross profiteering, and of careless conduct- to put it mildly—on the part of politicians. The paper has especially attacked land lords who have driven poor people out of their houses so that, at this time of house scarcity they might secure higher rents; the great, drapery shops, which, in spite of the difficulties of the times have ?o.ntinued to make huge profits, and (fie Ministers of the late Nationalist Government. It was “Smith’s Weekly” which secured the Enquiry into the ■'Wheat Scandal]” which, more than any tiling else., brought about the downfall of the'Holman Government ; the same paper’s agitation brought about the recall of Mr David Hall, after that Minister thought he was safe in the refuge of the Agent-Generalship, and the “Weekly”, by some sensational “revelations.” has now secured an official enquiry Into the alleged maladministration of the Soldiers’ Settlement Branch < f the Lands Department. Mr Ashford, ex-Minister for Lands, lias issued a writ for £SOOO against “Smith’s Weekly.” Tliat paper is also the defendant at present in at least three ether big suits of a similar kind. Litigation ot this kind is generally regarded by newspapers as the high road to ruin. But it seems to pay “Smith’s.”