DAVID LOW PRAISED

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28450, 3 December 1957, Page 10

DAVID LOW PRAISED

U.S. Cartoonist’s Views

Christchurch-born David Low is considered by many United States cartoonists to be the ‘‘greatest political cartoonist the world has ever had,’.’ said an American political strip cartoonist, Mr Walt Kelly, in Christchurch yesterday. Mr Kelly’s cartoons are published daily by 500 newspapers with a total circulation of 40 million. ‘‘ln the United States we do not have anyone to compare with him,” said Mr Kelly.‘‘He is an expert on foreign affairs, not insular, a great draftsman, and a good artist. Our cartoonists tend to become more interested in domestic affairs and this limits their viewpoint.” Mr Kelly and his wife are on a tour of the world in two months and a half to obtain information for a series of lectures Mr Kelly will give to colleges and organisations during next year. They intend to return to the United States shortly before Christmas. ‘‘The influence of the Western powers on many countries has deteriorated during the last year, and the launching of the satellite by the Russians has just increased this movement,” said Mr Kelly. There was one section, not capitalist or Communist, which took advantage of what side it could get the most from;'and the launching of the satellite had had an effect on them. However, it has given the United States “a shot in the arm,” he said. President Eisenhower was still popular with the people, and in the last election his “glamour” attracted a good number of the women’s votes. Mr Kelly said. The country was prosperous and it was doubtful whether the Democrats could have done any better.

In New Zealand. Mr Kelly hopes to learn something of race relations.