Cartoons may help ‘sell’ N.Z. produce

Press, 14 May 1985, Page 15

Cartoons may help ‘sell’ N.Z. produce

By

DIANA DEKKER,

in London The New Zealand Embassy in Brussels and the High Commission in London are taking steps to ensure that New Zealand food and wine are “on display” when 100 New Zealand cartoons feature in the prestigious world cartoon exhibition in Belgium in June. The New Zealand producer boards in London and other organisations involved in selling food and wine in the northern hemisphere are being approached about giving visitors to the opening of the exhibition a taste of homme-grown produce as well as humour. The cartoon exhibition will open on June 21 in the seaside town of KnokkeHeist, Belgium’s St Tropez, a centre of affluence which overflows with tourists and wealthy Belgians in summer.

The exhibition originated 24 years ago to show work

from within the country but has expanded to become an international event featuring the work of cartoonists from a different country each year.

Britain had its turn. Japan was featured last year. This year 16 New Zealand cartoonists will have their work displayed. They include Murray Ball, Bill Paynter and Malcolm Evans, both associated with the “New Zealand Herald,” Neville Lodge, a former “Evening Post” cartoonist, and Tom Scott, Burton Silver, and Bob Brockie. The exhibition is traditionally accompanied by a special meal in KnokkeHeist’s casino and it is believed that this could be a suitable place to give New Zealand food a boost.

The official opening of the exhibition is expected to be by Belgium’s Minister of Transport, Mr Herman de Croo. The cartoons will be displayed until December 23, midwinter in Belgium.