The West Australian, Wed 29 Jan 1969, p15

Police seize Scientology material

Police raided the Hay-street headquarters of the scientology organisation yesterday for the second time since it was outlawed in W.A. in November.

Inspector A.J. Parker and five detectives searched the premises under a warrant for about an hour and took away stationery, records and electrical equipment.

Mr Michael Graham, who describes himself as the assistant guardian of the Church of Scientology in W.A., said he believed that a summons would be issued as a result of the raid.

Little of value was taken, apart from 4,000 stamped addressed envelopes which were to be sent to W.A. scientologists.

There were about 12 people in the building when the raid began just before 9 a.m., he said.

No-one was allowed to leave during the raid, and all telephone calls were stopped.

The detectives took away all incoming mail.

The first raid was on November 15, two days after legislation came into force banning the practice of scientology.

300 NZ Files Burnt

WELLINGTON, Tues: The Church of Scientology in Auckland today burnt about 300 files containing the names and addresses of people who might have been called to give evidence at the government's proposed inquiry into the cult.

Lawyer To Inquire Into Cult

LONDON, Tues: The British government has appointed a lawyer to inquire into the practice and effects of scientology while still retaining its ban on foreigners entering Britain to study the cult.

Social Security Minister Richard Crossman told parliament that Sir John Foster, a lawyer and conservative MP, would hold the inquiry in private. His report would be published and the cult's activities abroad considered.

The government had banned overseas scientology students from entering Britain last July because it concluded that the cult was an undesirable practice.

Since then changes had taken place and an inquiry was highly desirable, he said.

Critics in the United States, Australia and elsewhere had branded scientology as socially harmful. - A.A.P. Reuters.

[Press]