A NEW ZEALAND WAR BOOK

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21418, 9 March 1935, Page 17

A NEW ZEALAND WAR BOOK

Tlie Silent Division. By O. E. Burton, M.M., M.d'll. Angus and Robertson Ltd. 328 pp. (6/- net.) In this book Mr Burton deals for the first time in comprehensive style with deeds of the New Zealand Division during the Great War, as seen by a soldier of the line. The author has done a very sound piece of writing in pleasing literary style. Some of the descriptive passages are extraordinarily good and ail members of the N.Z.E.F. will feel under a deep debt of gratitude to him for placing on permanent record, in a way that will most appeal to them and recall to them their our part, exploits that laid the foundation of their country's national existence.

Mr Burton attempts no glorification of war. In an appendix he makes his own position plain:

The writer of this book now holds the Christian Pacifist position, and in the event of another war would not take up arms and tight. lie believes that the great task of all men of goodwill is to abolish war and build a peaceful world. It is a mistake, however, as some writers of war books would seem to suggest, that man can be frightened from war by accounts of the suffering oi. men in battle, by the description of incidental horrors, or by a totalling of the losses in - life and material. In so far a-; any of these introduced into this book it is with no such morbid purpose but to make a background for the display of valour.

Mr Burton feels with many others that New Zealand (and he would no doubt include other countries that fought in the war as well) is not answering the challenge to achievement that the post-war period oilers, that in our national life we have copied too slavishly the worn-out institutions of the industrial Revolution and that we are not making Ihe best. use of our natural advantages and resources for the jH.-neral good of the people. He also jrels that we are neglecting to make our proper contribution to international life—that we have, in his own words, "slavishly followed the oid men of Europe who have continued to dodder along the brimsi one paths '.hid lead to destruction." And one cannot, help feeling that the indictment is a true bill, whether or rot one believes 1 hat the way of pacificism. Christian or other, is a practicable way in the present state of human thought, to prevent further wars.

IVir Burton's appeal to Uv.; lighters of the N.Z.IS.F. to come again to their country's rescue in the civil -.phere cannot be read without a stirring of the heart. It could be done if (lie brotherhood of the war days could be restored. This review has started at the end of Mr Burton's book because it, is oniy right lo place first in the reader's mind the purpose he had in writing it. in its pages is told in thrilling passages the story of the triumphs, the valour, Ibe resource, die determination, the hardihood of the i\ew Zealanders in action; in page.-; more poignant is unfolded -the tail' of their sufferings and their heroic sacrifices. The story shuts on the brave crescendo of patriotic adventure thai drove forth the splendid men of the Main Body and continues in the richer and deeper tone that develops as the glory fades and its place is taken by calm accep!a nee of dreadful dangers and grim resolve to light on when realisation comes that war is not a marvellous adventure 'nil a thoroughly dirty and sordid business whii'h has to be ended.

The author's descriptions of battles and raids reveal lilerary ability of a high order and hoid the reader thrilled and allentive. To Ihe former soldier every sentence recalls an incident in his own experience. His criticisms are generally soundly founded and rationally expressed. 11 is generosity of outlook h revealed not. only in the tributes he pays to other Allied arms but also to the valour of a beaten enemy. !t is a book lhal every New Zealander. >ninn; or <■>■■}, can read with interest and admiration.