FUTURE OF THE TIMES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18180, 28 August 1922, Page 7

FUTURE OF THE TIMES.

NORTHCLIFFE'S SUCCESSOR. WILL MAY DECIDE MATTER. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 4.30 p.m.) . LONDON, Aug. 26. Mr. J. L. Garvin, in an article in tho London Observer on the future ownership of the Times, Btates that there are many aspirants to succeed Lord Northcliffe as chief proprietor, and the keenest competition is expected. The aspirants mentioned include Sir John Ellermann, who is now the second largest shareholder; Lord Rothermere, brother of Lord Northcliffe; Lord Beaverbrook, owner of the Daily Express; Sir Mackay Edgar, owner of tho Saturday Review; and Sir William Berry, who, with his brother, purchased tho Sunday Times, the Graphic, and the publishing business of Cassells, Ltd. Mr. Garvin states that Mr. Lloyd George's wealthy friends, including Sir William Berry, will make desperate efforts to secure the Times, but he considers that Lord Northcliffe took steps in his will to prevent it from falling into such hands. It is estimated that Lord Northcliffe directly and indirectly paid £900,000 to get control of the Times, and that the proprietorship cost him from first to last £2,600,000. Mr. Garvin reveals that Lord Northcliffe once intended, and discussed with him, the framing of a will something like that of Cecil Rhodes, whereby the Times would be endowed permanently as a national organ above all petty influences, and an impartial recorder of the world's events, and would become Lord Northcliffo's own great monument for ever. Lord Northcliffc's attitude changed on this subject in later years, but he retained his intention of dominating the future of the Times by his will. This would involve enormous expense, and it remains to be seen when the contents of the will are disclosed whether he attempted to carry out such a plan.