LONDON “TIMES”

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11303, 31 August 1922, Page 5

LONDON “TIMES”

ITS FUTURE OWNERSHIP. KEENLY COMPETED FOR. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, August 26. Mr J. L. Garvin, editor of the “Observer,” writing on the future ownership of “The Times,” states that there are many aspirants to succeed Lord Northciiffe as the chief proprietor, and the keenest competition is expected. The aspirants mentioned include Sir John ElLerman, the millionaire shipowner, and now the seoond largest shareholder in “The Times”; Lord Rothermere, brother of Lord Northclitfe and owner of the “Daily Mirror” ; Lord Beaver brook owner of the “Daily Express”; Sir Edgar Mackay, owner of the “Saturday Review” ; and Sir William Berry, who with his brother purchased the “Sunday Times,” “Graphic,” and Cassell's publishing business. Mr Garvin states that. Mr Lloyd George and his wealthy friends, including Sir William Berry, will make desperate efforts to secure ‘The Times,” but it is believed that Lord Northcliffe took steps in his will to prevent the paper falling into such hands. Mr Garvin estimates that Lord Northciiffe, directly and indirectly, paid £900,000 to get control of “The Times,” and its proprietorship cost him, from first to last, £2,500.000. Mr Garvin reveals the fact that Lord Northciiffe once intended, and discussed with him, framing a will something like that of Cecil Rhodes, under which “The Times” would be endowed permanently as a national organ, above all petty influences, an impartial recorder of the world’s events, and so beoome Lord Northcliffe’e own great monument for ever. In later years Lord NorthcJiffe’s attitude.on the matter changed, but he retained the intention of dominating the future of “The Times” by his will. This would have involved enormous expense, and it remains to he seen, when the contents of his will are disolosed, whether he attempted- to carry out such a plan.