THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 1921. LEADERSHIP.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4310, 29 August 1921, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 1921. LEADERSHIP.

The visit of Viscount Northcliffe to the Dominion brings to us one who has justly earned the title, “The Napoleon of Journalism.” Students of history know that the greatest characteristic of Napoleon Bonaparte was his originality : he did things in his own special way, regardless about text-books and precedents, and so confused, opponents who expected- .some orthodox move, but were confronted with a new and startling phase of warfare at every turn. This quality of originality, dispensed with a powerful intelligence, boundless energy and high courage, is what has made Lord Northcliffe a leader of men, a maker and unmaker of Cabinets, and a dominant force in world-politics. His courageous attitude in regard to the sending of shrapnel to France when anything but high-explosives was useless against trench systems brought a storm of terrific fury against all the Northcliffe papers ; subs bribers dropped out in thousands, but His Lordship stuck to his “guns”—principles and beliefs expounded per medium of his papers, the main organ being the Daily Mail. He won out, as Truth must always eventually win, and he was soon recognised as a strong, far-seeing man, such as the Empire sadly needed in its hour of deep travail. Again, his propaganda work in enemy countries was acknowledged by our enemies as bein 5 a tremendous lever for the Allies, and did much to enlighten the Germans arid Austrians in regard to 411611’ hopeless condition, arid so greatly helped to destroy their, morale.

' Our distinguished visitor ■ is obviously very favourably impressed with this “Britain of the Southern Seas,” and after he has visited Australia and returned to England it may be taken for granted that his -observations will res.ult in the further cementing of the bonds of Empire and closer understanding and sympathy between the people of the Mother Country and its Dominions and dependencies.