THE MORNING POST.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 18 October 1924, Page 15

THE MORNING POST.

A NEWSPAPER OWNED BY A WOMAN. _ t In tlie announcement that Countess Bathurst has severed her direct associ_ ation with the London Morning Post is brought to a close a unique and interesting association with the highest traditions of British journalism. Ownership of The Times has been a complex affair, and in its history will always be those hectic years when Lord Northcliffe imposed upon its columns his own ideas as to how the wprld should be directed (says a writer in The Women’s Magazine). The story of the connection of Lady Bathurst’s family with the Morning Post goes back to 1849, and the whole history of the paper during that period is full of romance. Lady Bathurst’s father, Mr Peter Borthwick, M.P. for Evesham) was at first a wealthy man; but having heavy financial losses he took the editorship of the Morning Post, though he did not own the paper. When he died, at the early age- of 42. his eldest son, Algernon (afterwards Sir Algernon Borthwick. and later Lord Glenesk), was only a youth-of 21; but he took on the editorship of the paper, having already been its Paris correspondent. He was a lad of exceptional courage and resourcefulness, 'for he educated his two young brothers, and supported also his mother and sister. He was not able to purchase the Morning Post till somewhere, about 1878, when a friend advanced the money for this purpose. In seven years, by dint of hard work, be had paid off the debt. Later, when came to him, his generosity was unbounded. Lord Glenesk’s only son, the Hon. Oliver Borthwick. who- gave great promise, died in 1905, and for a time the grief-stricken father again took up the veins of direction, and initiated his daughter. who married Ear] Bathurst in 1893. into some of the mysteries that a successful newspaper proprietor must understand. When Lady Bathurst. on his death in 1908. assumed control, she found that she had at command a .staff highly efficient and surpassingly loyal. Wisely, she made no r> hnnp r es. Not lon<r after it had come into her hands. Mr. H A. Gwynue —as nnno’nted editor, and has thoroughly understood the principles that she held very sincerely and strongly.