The chairman of Australian Fairfax newspaper group John Fairfax has launched a strong attack on suggestions that Independent News & Media's APN associate might bid for the group once APN's takeover of Wilson & Horton is completed.

Independent owns 40 per cent of APN and is planning to merge APN with its wholly-owned Wilson & Horton subsidiary in New Zealand if it can get the support of other APN shareholders.

The APN/Wilson & Horton merger is seen by many observers as a precursor to a bid for Fairfax, which is Australia's largest publisher of daily newspapers - with three national titles - the Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Financial Review and Sun-Herald Sunday paper.

At the Fairfax annual meeting in Sydney, chairman Mr Brian Powers said the board was firmly opposed to a takeover bid by APN. He said he was opposed to Independent chairman Sir Anthony O'Reilly or any large shareholders taking control of the company.