The Waikato Times With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. MONDAY, APRIL 30, 1923. THE TIMES NEWSPAPER.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15225, 30 April 1923, Page 4

The Waikato Times With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. MONDAY, APRIL 30, 1923. THE TIMES NEWSPAPER.

.'The recent purchase of the London Times newspaper, or to be exact, of the late Lord Northcliffe's interest in it, 'was referred to by Major John Aslor who in conjunction with Mr'John Walter has acquired the property. The occasion was a dinner given by the "Times" Companionship, which is described as an inter-departmental institution, and is said to have been in existence since the Napoleonic wars. It is presumably a gathering of all those connected with the paper. Major Astor says that the influence of the most powerful voice in the world should only be used for national purposes, and should be beyond the power of any man to use for personal ends. This is a fine ideal, and Major Astor apparently contemplates the creation of some trust to guarantee the maintenance of such a' standard. We sincerely trust he will be successful, but it is a difficult problem. High standards of conduct cannot be enforced by rules and regulations, but can only be obtained from men of high character. Even so the dividing line between peisonal feeling and public ends may very well be hard to define. Above all the paper must be, made to pay. It is 100 great an undertaking to be run on any condition other than that of paying expenses. It is understood, however, that under Lord Northcliffe's management it was fairly prosperous. Prior to his taking charge it had fallen into low water, and Die efforts made by the proprietors to set it on its feet had been unfortunate. As a profit-earn-ing business it is not likely to rival such papers as the Daily Mail, but then nobody ever Tell pride in associating with the Daily Mail, whereas a position on the Times is a subject of legitimate pride to all wRo hold it. Its care-er has been remarkable, and its success has been largely due to the character of the Walter family, who have continuously owned it since'its start. It reached the highest point of fame in the days when the newspaper tax made cheap papers impossible, but when the tax was abolished it continued for maiy years to hold its own. It was not long before other papers reached and then passed its circulation. The difference was that the Times was read by everyone who counted. Its history is written large in the life of its great editor John Dclanc, who held office for about thirty five years, and it was during those years that the paper stood at its highest in reputation and power. It aspired to make and unmake Ministries, and did actually exercise a great influence in that direction. Delane was a close friend of Palmerston, for the two men had much in common, and his support, assisted towards the long tenure of power in Palmers-ton's latter days. The Times was no respecter of persons, and once or twice took Royalty to task. sr» that they had naturally no hesitation in pointing out 1 the shortcomings of any Minister. In addition they adopted a Lono towards all foreign Governments, which makes it wonderful thai Britain was not'

always at war. The lofty air of superiority, the contempt and the patronage must have been offensive in the extreme to those who could read it, whioh fortunately was but a small number. - Among the people whom the Times in the Sixties and Seventies of the last century disapproved of were Mr Gladstone' and Mr Disraeli. It is said that the Duke of Bedford of these times said he was not sorry to die. It looked as if the country was coming to be ruled by Mr Gladstone or Mr' Disraeli and they were neither of them fit for it. This, of course, was the feeling of the great landed interest, but the Times, which by no means represented land, shared the feeling to the full. The Times was a strong advocate of Free Trade in those days, and was one of the earliest supporters of the abolition of the Corn Laws. Under Lord Northcliffc it espoused protection and it will be interesting to see if it* goes back to its first- love; x

s lt is in the domain of foreign intelligence and war correspondence that the Times, has always stood supreme. It has capable representatives in every country of Europe, and ■is constantly able to supply Ministers with information. It is the only paper which specialises in this direction and would be invaluable for that alone. Other papers have occasionally surpassed it in war 'correspondence, but In foreign intelligence it has consistently held its own. In Delane's time greater attention was given to the leading article, and in it were made any announcements that the Editor desired to publish. Many leading politicians used to contribute in their young days, among others the Marquis of the present Lord Morley, the late Sir William Harcourt and Viscount Lowe. Dclane was always on the look out for knowledge and ability. After his reign the management was less capable. The part .which the paper took in the Home Rule quarrel and the publication of Parnell letters, did it much damage. It led to immense expense, and, even worse, it caused a loss of confidence in the paper's judgment. This was the beginning of the troubles that culminated in a sale of an interest in the paper to Lord Northcliffe, though before that it had been owned by a syndicate who cynically exploited its reputation. Major Astor is determined that this shall not happen again, and he will have the good wishes of all. The Times has a reputation, and is a national asset of whioli' we may well be proud. Journalism has been" developing in many directions, not always as we should wish. It may . be that Major Astor - and Mr Walter may be able to point the way to* some definite advancs.