LONDON’S CHIEF DAILY.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 June 1921, Page 4

LONDON’S CHIEF DAILY.

Although a denial has been given to the recent cable message stating it was rumored that The Times was. changing hands, there is a possibility that the rumor may contain a germ of truth, though it nfiay be premature. While London’s chief daily newspaper at one time exercised a world-wide influence, it has in recent years fallen from its high estate and become partisanship. It was its perfect independence, its marvellous organisation and exceptionally able staff, both at Home and abroad, that placed The Times on a pinnacle of fame and made it the repository of epoch-making State secrets that no other journal enjoyed, and justified the saying that “the pen is mightier than the sword.” The expense incurred by the proprietary was fabulous, and as other newspapers became popular The Times gradually failed to pay its way. That was the position when Lord Northcliffe acquired the controlling interest, and its policy was changed. There can be no question that it served a good purpose in bringing about the downfall of the Asquith Government, an effort which was backed up by the other papers controlled’ by Lord Northcliffe. Whether Mr. Lloyd George owes his accession to the Premiership to this powerful backing is not material, but there can be no doubt that the change had a considerable bearing on the ultimate success of Britain and the Allies, another factor in the success being the effect of the great propaganda campaign so ably conceived and executed by Lord Northcliffe. His Lordship, however, appears to have acquired a somewhat swollen head as the result of his activities, and this led to a rupture between him and the Premier, who was thereafter attacked as bitterly as Mr. Asquith had been, but weathered the storm without suffering damage, though it is likely The Times badly needed repairs. It was a writer in the Outlook who first hinted at a change in The Times’ control, by stating that Mr. Lloyd George was bringing pressure to bear to “freeze out” Lord Northcliffe. The probability is that if this change is effected The Times will resume its foretime policy of independence, either under the mana of the Walter family or some equally reliable controllers, and that would be a welcome change. At present, however, Lord Northcliffe- remains at the head of this and other newspapers which are used to expound his particular views. The publicity given to this matter of control should serve to enlighten newspaper readers as to the value of an absolutely impartial and independent paper, and how easy it is for the controller of a number of papers to prejudice the public, instead of being above suspicion. Britain needs a paper like The Times was when under Delane’s regime, and the world at large would gain by a change of this description.