Kingsley's Reign
To say that Kingsley Martin has done a valuable service to the Spectator by his thirty years as editor of the New Statesman may sound facetious; but it is none the less true. Naturally the two weeklies are rivals: but both are aware that they owe much to the fact that the rivalry can continue to exist. There is no pressing reason why weekly journals of opinion should flourish; one has only to look at the American scene to see how expendable they can be. And to Kingsley (it is impossible, to call him 'Mr.') Martin must gu much of the credit for creating a taste for weeklies in the younger generation—particularly that which was growing up in the Thirties—and preserving it: for it is never easy for a journal of the Left to grow to maturity without losing its hold on younger readers. That the New Statesman has prospered throughout his long reign is a remarkable tribute to his prowess, and we wish it continued prosperity under his succes- sor, John Freeman.
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