FUTURE OF "THE TIMES."

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17936, 3 December 1923, Page 4

FUTURE OF "THE TIMES."

THE, PROPRIETORS' LATEST SCHEME.

"The Times" is weathering the storm which threatened after the death of Lord Northcliffe, saya the London correspondent of the Melbourne "Argus." Under the control of its original owner, Mr John Walter, and helped by tfe© millions of Mr J. J. Astor, M.P., it is reverting to the super-party attitude whifch made it a power in world politics before its unfortunate mishap 6ver the Piggott forgeries, and scarcely less deplorable lapse from quiet sanity under the late Lord Northcliffe. His gdniu3 for running popular papers, such as "Answers" and the "Daily Mai)," found little scope when directing tho political policy of Printing Houso Square. writing in the "Empire Heview," which has itsolf taken a new lease of life under the direction of Mr Locker Lampson, M.P., Mr J. J. Astor tells the inner story of the changes at "The Times" office. When Lord Northcliffe died, all Borts of political interests wanted to purchase the paper. Lord Northcliffe had shown business powers of the highest type m extricating "The Times" from its financial difficulties, but was unwilling to leave any discretion to his editorial grand vizier. When Mr Astor and Mr Walter purchased "Tho Times," they made ur> their minds to revert to an earlier policy, and place the editor in independent command in all matters which traditionally and rightly appertain to Kis office. That is the existing policy. This was not the policy of Lord Northcliffe. The new owners believe they can ensure a certain policy during their lives, but they are anxious to make it certain that "The Times" shall not be captured by another Northcliffe after their deaths. They have, therefore, determined that their heirs, if they wish to dispose of "The | Times," must satisfy a competent tri- . bunal that the new owners are fitted Lfpr their high responsibilities. Mr J. | J. Astor says the function of a paper , like "Tne Times" is not to enter into rivalry with the Government of the day or usurp for the benefit of its [ readers a party's prerogative of formu- ! latmg political programmes. It should i rather keep pace with its public than forsake it m a ranging quest for quarries. In order to secure that "The j Times" shall not depart from its his-tc-rio traditions, the new proprietors I have determined that no person shall hereafter acquire a controlling interest unless with the approval of a body of trustees to be chosen from among the occupants of exalted positions in the community, such as the Lord Chancellor, the Archbishop 0 f Canterbury, and others. Mr Aster defines the present standpoint of the paper as that of an enlightened conservatism, "which while favouring the principle of flinmty, is neither insensitive nor necessarily hostile to the inevitable processes of political development It will nevertheless, lean as far as'possible to the support of the Government I of tho day, and especially so when that Government is the spokesman of the nation m international affairs. Be it Tory Liberal, or Labour, tho Governmonfc in oiiic© ill, m qq 'nrJTK Times' is concerned, be entifced to all that rightfully belongs to the G<•>«-.™ eminent of Great Britain.'' UoW:rn "