Mr Pearson and the “Times.”

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 11, 14 March 1908, Page 42

Mr Pearson and the “Times.”

(From Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON, January 24. The “Times” has surrendered, doubtless under the stimulus of what Socialists call “economic pressure.” Henceforth it abandons its position of splendid isolation, and joins a newspaper “ring,” for Mr. C. Arthur Pearson, the head of the “Standard.” “Evening Standard,” “Daily Express,” and a number of weekly and monthly papers, has now assumed control of the “Times” itself. The paper has been formed into a limited company, with Mr. Pearson as managing director. As a solace to the Walter family, who started the “Times,” and have owned it for three generations, Mr. Walter has been appointed chairman of the company, and no doubt a portion of the shares remain with the Walter family. But henceforth Mr. Arthur Pearson will be the power that counts in Printing House Square. It is interesting to recall that in 1004 Mr. Walter, the chief proprietor of the “Times,” made the following statement: “The control of the ‘Times’ has been in my hands for a good many years past, it is there now. And there it will remain

until events over which mortals have no control shall place it in the hands of my successor. No outside influence of any kind, or any origin, will ever ba permitted to affect the character of ther great institution which was founded by; my great-grandfather 120 years ago, amf which has never for a moment passed' from the control of his lineal successors.'*These were brave words, but, as some unknown master of platitude once observed, “Circumstances alter cases.” The “Times” has had to fall in line with the commercial tendency of the age, which moves steadily in the direction of combination and coalition on the part of the big battalions. Editorially the character of the paper will remain unchanged, “and,” says Mr. Pearson, “will be conducted as in the past, on lines independent of party politics.” I fancy it will' be news to most people in London that the “Times” has been “independent of party politics.” Politicians must have smiled when they read that delightful sentence. The advent of Mr. Pearson, whom Mr. Chamberlain once described as the greatest “hustler” be had ever met, will be followed by a thorough-going reorganisation of the paper, and the first step has been the retirement of Mr. Moberly Bell, the previous manager of the “Times.” It is stated that the reduction of the “Times” to a penny is not contemplated, but that revenue will be sought by the development of periodical publications by the new “Times” syndicate. There is no probability of any opposition on the part of the shareholders, who have been chafing under recent losses, and demanding some change. The only Free Trade shareholder is Sir Edward Tennant, and his holding is quite small. The backing comes mainly, from Tariff Reformers. It is said that the Free Trade party made an attempt to capture the “Times,” and instal Mr. J. A. Spender, the editor of the “Westminster Gazette” as editor-manager. This scheme, however, fell through, and Mr. Pearson emerges as the future director of "the Thunderer” as a Unionist and Tariff Reform journal. Mr. Pearson explains. however, that he is “not acting on behalf of a committee of Tariff Reformers, or on behalf of any other committee, association or party.” Mr. Labouchere’s paper, “Truth,” remarks that it was understood when the action of Sibley v. Walter was disposed of last year that the proprietary of the “Times” was to be converted into a limited company, and adds:—“The announcement now made merely indicates that this arrangement has been virtually completed, and that Mr. C. A. Pearson is to be a sort of general manager to the company, instead of that position being taken up by- Mr. Moberly Bell, as might have been expected.” The second item of news is what is really interesting. It may mean much, or it may mean little.. There seems to be an idea that it implies the conversion of the “Times” into a halfpenny paper. 1 hardly expect to see that—at any rate, not all at once. “As to the “Times” ‘becoming a Tariff Reform paper,’ it became that when Mr. Chamberlain became a Tariff Reformer. It has shown a slight disposition to hedge during the last Tew months, and it may be that Mr. Pearson’s installation indicates that hedging will henceforth give place to hustling. “The information that ‘the editorial character of the paper will remain unchanged’ seems intended to convey that Mr. Pearson will have no influence on the editorial department, but when it is added that the paper ‘will be conducted, as in the past, on lines independent of party politics,’ the necessity for taking a large pinch of. salt with the whole announcement becomes manifest. The man who wrote that sentence could write anything.” Our cables have since informed us that a hitch occurred in the passing of the control of the paper to Mr. Pearson, and that matters have not yet been definitely settled.