NOTED JOURNALIST

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 300, 15 September 1936, Page 8

NOTED JOURNALIST

Mr. Tom Clarke Visits Auckland

Dominion Special Service.

z Auckland, September 14. Well known in Fleet Street as news editor of the “Daily Mail” under the late Lord Northcllffe, of whom he has drawn a striking portrait in “My Northcllffe Diary,” published, in 1931, Mr. Tom Clarke, now director of practical journalism at the London University, was among the passengers on the Niagara, which arrived from Sydney to-day. He Is on a world tour with his daughter, Miss E. P. Clarke, and is returning to England after a visit to Australia, where he was at one time assistant editor of the Melbourne “Herald," and found material for his book, “Marriage at 6 a.m.” As a journalist Mr. Clarke was more disposed to seek information than give it when interviewed, and he asked a number of questions about the Labour Government and the effects of the new industrial legislation. He inquired about the progress of negotiations for an air mall service across the Tasman, and spoke enthusiastically,of the proposed Empire route to be operated by Imperial Airways.

When the plans of Pan-American Airways were mentioned he expressed surprise that New Zealand should show preference for an American air service before a British one. Mr. Clarke visited New Zealand ten years ago, and stated that he still had happy memories of the country. Appointed to his present position last year, Mr. Clarke began his' career in journalism in 1902. In the following four years he visited many parts of the Far'East, and during the Russo-Japa-nese war he was special correspondent to the London “Daily Mail" and “Chicago Tribune’’ in French Indo-Chlna. Later he went to London as news editor of the “Dally Sketch,” and in 1911 he joined the foreign staff of the '“Daily Mall,” to which he was appointed, news editor on his return from the army in 1919 by the late Lord Northcliffe. From 1923 to 1926 Mr. Clarke was assistant editor of the Melbourne "Herald.” Later he was editor and director of the “News Chronicle,” London, until 1933.