THE "WEEK-END REVIEW."

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19918, 3 May 1930, Page 13

THE "WEEK-END REVIEW."

MR GERALD BARRY'S NEW PAPER.

A few weeks ago a cable message announcod the resignation of the Editor and of the full contributing Staff of the "Saturday Review" an a result of the adoption of Empire Free Trade by tho proprietors. Tlilb is the aoquel, «8 told by tho "Observer."

When Mr Gerald Barry a week or so ago resigned, under circumstances already described, from tho editorship of tho "Saturday Review" and tlie editorial staff and contributors loft with him, it was felt that this dynamic combination of writers, which had learned to work so well together, should not be allowed to disintegrate. It was scarcely to bo h.oped, however, that thoy would be able immediately to get into harness again. But tho improbable has happened. Thanks to the gonerous understanding of a backer who was ready to launch them upon a new venture, they have boon ablo to start again at once, and the new sixpenny weekly publication, tho "Week-End Review," will make its appearance with Mr Barry as editor and his former colleagues actively associated with him. Speaking with a representative of the "Observer," of the splendid backing ho has received, Mr Barry laid stress on, the very important fact that this is no mere gesture. "Tho backing," he said, "is solid; tho 'Week-End Review' is definitely assured of a long run." Title and Policy.

With regard to the title of the paper, Mr Bernard Shaw, ho remarked, had just been discussing it with him _ and saying that every Englishman considers himself a high-brow and the rest of his fellow-countrymen fools, and that therefore if thoy were to call the now paper the "High-Bfow Review" every Englishman in the land would read it. "But I think myself," Mr Barry said, "that the title we have decided upon, the 'Week-End Review,' though not necessarily ideal, has a certain freshness and friendliness about it which will appeal to readers. It breaks away from the tradition of, review titles rather, and that is perhaps a good thing. But, in any case, the new review will be judged not by its name but by what is in it." Of its policy he said that tho journal will be independent, with It Conservative background. "Not everything -in, it, by any means, will be Conservative. It will be in attitude, in fact, much like the paper I lately edited, but will be, I hope, rather more outspoken and wider in its interests. The world is both wider and narrower than it was. A specialist lias been described as one who knows more and more about less and loss, and the average reader as one who knows less and less about more and moro. One function of a weekly review is to bHdge the gap. Special attention will also be given to Music and tbe Theatre, and a large section of the paper will be devoted to the newest books. Arnold Bennett and Bernard Shaw have kindly agreed to write in early issues, and writers like Ivor Brown, A. P. Herbert, Gerald Gould, and many other's, will bo amongst tho contributors. I should like to pay a tribute here to a wonderfully loyal team of colleagues.

Independent Outlook. "The new review, as you know, has come Into being as the result of an incident involving the traditions of journalism; and one of its objects will be to uphold those traditions and to fight always for independence of thought, and to give representation to all points of view. "Nowadays when so many journals are grouped under one proprietorship, it is more than ever essential on the part of a weekly to maintain an independence of outlook. I have been called rash to attempt to start a new paper; but I feel, on the contrary, that many people will agree there is abundant room for it. Many are sick to death of the present mass production of opinion. They want papers that will help them to think for themselves."