FUTURE OF ‘THE TIMES'

Evening Star, Issue 18502, 8 December 1923, Page 13

FUTURE OF ‘THE TIMES '

PROPRIETOR'S LATEST SCHEME. ‘ Tho Times ’ is weathering the storm which threatened after tho death of Lord Norlhcliffo, says tho London correspondent of tho Melbourne 1 Argus.’ Under the control of its original owner, Mr John Walter, and helped by the millions of Mr J. J. Astor, M.P., it is reverting to the superparty attitude which made it a power in the world politics before its unfortunate mishau over tho Piggott forgeries, and scarcely loss deplorable lapse from quiet sanity under tho late Lord Norlhcliffo. His genius for running popular papers, such as ‘Answers’ and tho ‘Daily Mail,’ ipund little scope when directing the political policy of Printing House Square. Writing in the ‘ Empire Review.’ which has itself taken a new’ lease of life, under the direction of Mr Locker Lnmpson, M.P., Mr J. J. Astor tells tho inner story of tho changes at ‘ Tho Times ’ Office. When Lord Northcliffo died, all sorts of political Interests wanted to purchase tho paper. Lord Northcliffo had shown business powers of the highest type in extricating ‘ The Times from its financial difficulties, but waa unwilling to leave any discretion to his editorial grand vizier. When Mr Astor and Mr Walter purchased ‘ Tho Times,’ they made up their minds to revert to an earlier policy, and place tho editor in independent command in all matters which traditionally and rightly appertain to his office. That is tho 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' * Tho Times ’ shall not be captured by another NorthcliiTo after their deaths. They have, therefore, determined that their heirs, if they wish to dispose of ‘The Times,’ must satisfy a competent tribunal that tho new owners are fitted for their high responsibilities. Mr J. J. Astor says the function of a paper like ‘ Tho Times ’ is not to enter into rivalry with the Government of tho day or usurp for the benefit of its readers a party’s prerogative of formulating political programmes. It should rather' keep paco with its public than forsake it in a ranging quest for quarries. In order to secure that ‘ Tho Times ’ shall not depart from its historic traditions tho now proprietors have determined that no person shall hereafter acquire a controlling interest unless with the approval of a body of trustees to bo chosen from among the occupants of exalted positions in the community, such as tho Lord Chancellor, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and others, Mr Astor defines tho present standpoint of tho paper as that of an enlightened conservatism, “ which, while favoring tho principle of continuity, is neither insensitive nor necessarily hostile to tho incvitablo processes of political development. It will nevertheless lean as far as possible to the support of tho Government of tho day, and especially so when tho Government is the spokesman of the nation fn international affairs. Co it Tory, Liberal, or Labor, tho Government in office- will, in so far as ‘ Tho Times ’ is concerned, bo entitled to all that rightfully belongs to tho Government of Great Britain.”