BOOKS AND AUTHORS.

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 220, 11 June 1921, Page 11

BOOKS AND AUTHORS.

(.a*

Liber.)

BOOKS OF THE DAY ’’"lndustrial Problems and Disputes.” Tx>rd Askwith, tho author of “Industrial Problems and Disputes” (John Murray, per Whitcombe and Tombs), is well qualified for the task ho here performs, that of giving a detailed history of BritisTii trade disputes and Industrial problems during the last fifteen years or so, 'examining cnuees and detailing the methods by which settlements have been brought about, and, last but not least, •expounding the various lessons which •experience of the past may suggest for guidance in the future. The author has held many prominent and important official positions in connection- with industrial questions. Ho was for some years Assistant Secretary of the ’British Board of Trade, was’ Comptroller-General of the Commercial, Labour and Statistical Departments (1009-1911), and Chairman of the Fair Wages Advisory Committee since 1910. He has Bottled many-serious strikes and lock-outs, including the cot-' ton trade dispute of 1910 and the railway and transport strike of 1911. He was the originator of tho Labour Exchange system, and during the war acted as chairman of the Government Arbitration Committee under tho Munitions Act.

Lord Askwith's book is undoubtedly a most important and valuable contribution to industrial history. Tho ground covered by is very wide. Historically, it goes back to 1889, to the dockers’ dispute in that year, the author noting that tho evils of the casual labour system, a.t that timo the main cause of disturbance, still existed in J 920, when a Commission of Inquiry reported that “the system of casualisation must, if possible, bo torn up by the roots.” Tho position of Labour during the war, and the action of the Government in. dealing with certain manifestations of discontent, aro dealt with at length. The book concludes with an extended examination of tho post-war conditions, and tho growth of the nationalisation movement, the final chapter being devoted to recent Government attempts at and methods of conciliation. Thoroughness is the koynote of Lord Askwith’s book. Each successive new influence or movement in the industrial world is fully explained, and in tins way the work has a distinct value for the student of industrial and political history. It is worthy of note that the author, although himself engaged for many years in devising and superintending Government action with regard to the conduct of industries, rates of wages, and, in particular, the settlement of disputes between employers and employed, is by no means an ardent advocate of any extensive or regular, interference in such questions and disputes by the State. A letter on this subject which he wrote to the "Times" in July last year is here reprinted, and makes curiously interesting reading just now, when once again the British Government, is engaged in an attempt to settle a coal miners’ strike. Lord Askwith is specially severe upon Mr. Lloyd George's opportunism, and what he, the author, alleges to be an utterly vicious system, which has sprung up of recent years, under which politicians' medcfe in industrial matters the details of which most of them are ignorant. As to the future. Lord Askwith is certainly not over-cheering. He writes of the necessity for the growth of a "better personal understanding between employers and employed, for a desire of common interest; and, if possible, of unifying common interests, partly by the touch of human and personal sympathy, partly by tho joint interest of material gain, with the ideal of joint service. It is tho spirit, not paper systems, which alone can prevent war and reduce tho reasons for industrial strife.” But what sign is there in. this distracted world of ours just now of such a noble ideal being realised? To that question the author affords no answer. The Coming Revolution. Mr. Gerald Gould, the author of "The Coming Revolution” (Wm. Collins, Sons, and Co., per Whitcombe and Tombs), is the associate-editor of tho London Labour paper, “The Daily Herald,” concerning the alleged subsidising of which out of funds supplied by tho Lenin and Trot, eky Government there was recently some discussion. Mr Gould defines "revolution” os "a. complete redistribution of national wealth, so as progressively to assure genuine equality of income,” and adds: “I suggest that thij revolution is implicit in Labour's just demands, and must come, peaceably or otherwise.” Mr Gould examines in detail most of the leading questions affecting the working classes, discussing tho miners’ and railwaymen's strikes, the history and “morality” of direct action, and various forms of Socialism.

Hardy's Novels.

The signs of tho times point, ho considers, to "tho persistence and ultimate prevalence of the Marxian creed." How ho can square this belief with recent actual happenings in the British Labour world, such as the explicit and crushing condemnation and rejection of the Marxian theories (as carried to their logical conclusion and effect by tho Moscow Second International) by an overwhelming majority of British Labour organisations, it is difficult to understand. As befits an author who holds high university honours, tho book is a well-writton exposition of the doctrine it advocates as a political, industrial, and social cure-all.. Mr. Gould’s concluding sentences may lie quoted as summarising his economic go a pel in a nutshell:

■Redistribution or tho national income by communal ownership and workers' control is an urgent and inevitable economic necessity. I have given the facts. On those facts we have a clear choice. We cun accept tho redistribution. and have a peaceful revolution. We can, by illegitimate and violent moans, resent the redistribution, and have a bloody revolution. There is no third way.

Tho best comment on the above is tiiat Russia has established that "communal ownership and workers’ control" which is Mr. Gould's panacea, and the result has been political chaos, industrial paralysis, and. social misery and yuin. It would: bo an evil day for the British workers were Marxianism, as exemplified by tho Bolsheviks, to ho established in England, but, very happily, judging by iccent resolutions of tlio British trades unions, there is very scant probability of such u disaster, and judging by recent cablegrams, even Mr. Gould's Russian friends have come to tho conclusion that it is impossible to eliminate private enterprise.

Parliament and Democracy. "Parliament and Democracy,” by J. Ramsay Macdonald, is tho opening volume of "The Social Studies Series" (Ixxmard Parsons, London). Mr. Macdonald is not a professel Marxian like 51 r. Gould. He would not destroy the parliamentary system, but he would drastically alter, or "reform,” as he puts it, its methods. Parliament should, lie contends, remain supreme in representing the citizens, but he would set up an Economic Council, subsidiary to Parliament, and comprising workers, district councillors, and national trade boards, which should individually and jointly have a big say in directing the moans and methods of production. He in. apparently, opposed to tho "mass vote,” or national referendum—even on imeh a question as peace or war. On the equally much discussod "recall” he argues that occasions might and do UTiso when the country should have the

Give a Wan a pipe he can, smoke, fflvg a man a. book he can read; tyna hia home is bright with a calm delight though the room be poor indeed. —Jambs Thomson

LIBER’S NOTE BOOK

power to pass a mass vote of censuro on a Government, but that tho "recall" "should certainly deal with tho whole representative organ, and not merely with independent members of it." He favours a- Second Chamber "based on economic functions.” The ideal “Socialist State,” as Mr. Macdonald sees it, is

a State of vigilant and intelligent <lcmot> racy, a State every grade of which will be guided by the opinion, criticisms, and the ideals of citizens conscious of their responsibility to play a. part in the life of tho whole.

Tho whole secret of reforming parliamentary institutions is, Mr. Mncdon«Jd. considers, to bo found in "devolution,” but beyond his rathe;- sketchy outline of an Economic Council, the author does not afford much information as to the ’’precise forms devolution should assume. Two Books for Farmers.

Two recent books published by Messrs. Methuen and Co., London, make special appeal to country readers. These are, "Tho Breeding and Feeding of Farm Stock.” by James Wilson; and “Practical Dairying,” by Dora G. Saker. In the first-named volume Mr. Wilson, a recognised British authority on the subject dealt with, clearly explains the principles of breeding, and, in particular, gives a useful summary and explanation of the Mendelian theory, which is of immense practical importance to tho practical fanner, whose activities include the breeding of stock. Later on in the book is given a. luminous account of tho origin of the chief British breeds of live stock. Chapters tire also devoted to tho ."Stock-keepers’ Paw Materials,” the "Economic '.Use of Feeding Stuffs,” and to various questions connected generally with (tho breeding and feeding of stock. A number of well-chosen illustrations of famous breeds of horses and cows, and a number of diagrams add to the interest and value of the work. Mrs. Saker’s book, "Practical Dairying,” is described as "a complete and compact guide for the dairy-keeper end agricultural student." After emphasising the importance of cleanliness in the production and handling of milk, the author describes various "starters," their preparation and use, and then proceeds to deal with the sale of milk, cream, and butter, with cheese-making, and with the uses of various dairy by-pro-ducts. Advice is also given as to dairy book-keeping, the marketing of produce, and various forms of co-operative effort in connection with the dairying industry. Like Mr. Wilson’s book, Mrs. Sakor’s volume contains several interesting illustrations and a. number of diagrams in the text. Although Home conditions and methods, both in stock-breeding and feeding, and in dairying, differ not a little from those obtaining in the Dominion, both these books afford information of value to New Zealand farmers.

“An Australian Rip Van Winkle” Under the title, "An Australian flip Van Winkle” (London: George Allen and Unwin, Ltd.), Mr. William Hay, who, two or three years ago, wrote that quite remarkable romance of early days in Tasmania, "Tho Escape of Sir William Wean," has gathered together several well-written and entertaining sketches and essays, some of which deal with tho history of Australian explorer tions, whilst others are purely literary studies. The title sketch- is a fascinating one of- up-country life, with a suggestion of the occult. Tn "Mary Stuart, an Inquiry into her Character,” and "Stella” (Swift’s Stella), the author gives us two very cleverly-drawn character studies, and his disquisition on tho influence of novels on youthful, thought and character contains many ingenious theories and suggestions. "Some Aspects of a Romantic Isle" is a- very agreeablywritten article, descriptive of tho romantic beauties of Tasmania, and the three sketches in which the author retells the story of Mitchell’s .explorations, and of the mysterious disappearance of the naturalist, George Cunningham, are welcome contributions to Australian literature.

A correspondent, “H.F.” (Napier), asks mo what is the best edition in which to buy Thomas Hardy’s novels.' Well, if by the "best" "H.F.” means tho most costly, tho Mellstock edition should! bo favoured, but the edition was over-sub-scribed almost as soon as it was published, and now fetches a tremendous price—well over .£4O, I believe. If my correspondent feels ho can afford, it, tho "Wessex" edition is the most tasteful, and for a reader who likes his books in big clear type, an ideal edition. It includes tho novels and the poems, and', 1 presume, that splendid Napoleonic drama, "Tho Dynasth," and! runs into twenty-two volumes. It was published originally at 7s. Gd., but this has nowbeen increased to 10s. Gel. (both are English prices). I think Macmillan’s “Uniform Edition," 22 volumes .at 6s. (English price), would be’found most satisfactory. Paper and typo ore good, and the binding artistically neat. There is also a pocket edition (same number of volumes) at 4s. 6d. cloth, Gs. leather .(English prices again), but personally I like what the old lady, called a. "sizeable book" on my shelves, and I think |ho Uniform edition is well worth the extra eighteenpence. There is one point about a complete edition of Thomas Hardy’s novels, and that is, I for one greatly regret, that it is really complete and will not bo addled to, for the veteran novelist (he is now 81) announced some time ago that, he has written his last Dr. Johnson on “Smoaking.” That old-established periodical, "Notes and Queries," which authors and students of literature find «o useful, had a hard struggle to keep afloat during the war, and from a weekly became a monthly, as well as being much shrunken in size, and doubled in price. It has now been acquired by “Tho Times" proprietary, and is again a weekly. This question hau recently been raised by one of its correspondents a>> to whether Dr. Johnson even' smoked. As a mutter of fact, a inference to Bozzy will settle tho question at once, and in the negative. The Doctor had been discussing changing habits, and! told how- he could remember the time when “all the decent people in Lichfield (his birthplace) got drunk every night, and were not (ha worse thought of." “Smoaking,” ho continued, “has gone out. To be sure, it is a shocking thing, blowing smoko out of our fcnouths into other peoylcs mouths, eyes, and noses, and having tho same thing done to us. Yet I cannot ©/•■count why a thing which requires so little exertion, and yet preserves tho mind from total vacuity, should have gone out. Every man has something by which he calms himself: beating with his feet, or so on. If the Dctor could walk down hia beloved Fleet Street to-day he would find that, "smonking” had by no means "gone out." What would he any of the young ladies of today who smoke cigarettes? story—in prose at least. Nowadays he confines his literary activities to poetry. A very striking a'nd beautiful poem from his pen appears. I might add, in the Muy issue, of that admirable magazine, "The London Mercury.”

Stray Leaves

“The Green Bough.”

"Being u nation of noodles, wo naturally select super-noodles to govern us.” — G. Bernard Shaw. Mr. Shaiy speaks, I hope, for himself! According to Sir James Barrie, Robert Louis Stevenson wrote a long piny ° n the subject afterwards elaborated in the unfinished novel, "Weir of Hermiston." It was called "The Hanging Judge,” and was never published, though Barrio fiftys ho saw it iu MS. some years ago. "Weir of Hermiston" has recently been successfully dramatised in London. Sir William Robertson, tho general who rose from tho ranks, is writing his reminiscences. They should be somewhat piquant in parts if half the stories of Robertson’s contemptuous ’snubbing of the "aristocratic duffer” type of officer are true. If we are to believe tho author of a • recently-published and very amusing book, "Echoes’from Hie Eighties: Leaves from the Diary of a Victorian Lady,” one of the last things Carlyle said io Fronde was: "Now, mind, Fronde, don’t let the body-snatcher get hold of me.” The Ixidy-snaicher was Dean Stanley, who was popularly credited with a perfect mania for getting each and every dead celebrity under the floor of Westminster Abbey.

Rudyard Kipling’s forthcoming history of the Irish Guards is said to be the outcome of his dead son’s (Lieut. John Kipling) connection with the famous regiment. The story is recalled that the pathetically beautiful short story. "They," was suggested by the novelist’s lofs of a little daughter to whpm he was fondly attached. An English novelist, the youthful autor of "The Loom of Youth," has been lecturing the reviewers for their "lack of enthusiasm in either praise or blame.” "How seldom,” ho says, "do the reviewers seem to have enjoyed tho books about which they write?” But, as one reviewer at least may retort, how small a proportion of new books nowadays can honestly be considered "enjoyable.” Mr. Waugh’s new story is, I notice, entitled "Pleasure.” If it prove as interesting ns "The Loom of Youth" (although 1 certainly should not call that novel an entirely "enjoyable” story), "Liber" promises to be duly appreciative, even should he not go to the extent of that "generous enthusiasm" which Mr. Waugh asks of tho reviewer tribe.

Mr. John Freeman has written a "personal study” of George Moore, the Irish novelist, and his writings. Considering how much Mr. Moore himself has written on the same subjects, Mr. Freeman can surely have little new to say. Evon in such personal details ns tho particular brand of pyjamas Mr. Moors affects, tho great and only George, as a poseur tho only living rival of that other George, the Great Pshaw, has been quite copiously communicative. What with “The Confessions of a Young Man,” "The Memories of My Dead Life," and the Hail and Farewell Trilogy, to say nothing of Susan Mitchell’s brilliant, but cruelly satirical character sketch, the world has surely heard as much as it wants or needs to hear about Mr. Moore’s personality. Miss Mitchell's gibe at George as tho mn.n jwho ’'never kisses, but always tplls,” will not soon be forgotten.

SOME RECENT FICTION

From the point of view of a strict, conventional morality the inanne-r of Mary Thogmorton’s escape from a loveless existence in a dull country town is no doubt highly 'to be reprobated. Most readers, however, of Mr. Temple Thurston’s pathetic and beautifully told story, "The Green Bough" (Cassell and Co., per S. and M. Mackay), will sympathise with the heroine in her revolt against an environment and conditions which threaten to keep her permanently deprived of - the joys of love and maternity. Mr. Thurston’s story may offend some people fey its leading motif, but the clever character-drawing of the four sisters, and tho equally able analysis of their outlook on lifo should vastly please the majority of readers. Mr. Thurston is never more at homo than in depicting rural life and the scenes on the Devonshire farm, where the rebellious Mary seeks refuge when she becomes a. mother, are full of a very charming local colour. “Bannerton’s Agency.”

Once again, in his latest novel, "liannerton’s Agency" (Methuen and Co.), Mr. Pett Ridge introduces his readers to one of thoso delightful "managing" young women who so often have figured as his heroines. Grace Bannerton, m fact, belongs to much the samo class “of London girl whose pluck, common sense, and agreeably modified Cockney shrewdness were leading characteristics of the heroines of those earlier stories, "Nino to Six-Thirty," and “Devoted Sparkes.” - Hor husband, tho genial, but indolent and thriftless Tom Bannerton, is not fairly to be classed as a "waster," but the long succession of his failures to keep tho "billets” into which his wife eo clevefly engineers him would surely have made many a less stout-hearted woman leave him in sheer despair. There is quite a Mr. Micawber touch in ■ the happy-go-lucky husband’s confidence that “something will turn up,” and in her self-sacrificing devotion to her husband Mrs. Bannerton is clearly a descendant of the immortal Mrs. Micawber. In the long rfin, Tom “goes to the war" and returns a captain, no loss, the “Bannerton Agency," out of the multifarious and ingeniouslyplanned activities of which tho author gets some capital fun, having in the meanwhile, although suffering more than one stroke of evil fortune, developed into a well-established and promising enterprise. The heroine’s sisters, plus one of those cock-sure, interfering brothers whom Mr. Pett Ridge so dearly loves to draw, arc all capital, and there are several very amusing minor figures, including a "char lady,” who, as a subsidiary occupation, specialises in “laying out." Here, again, there is quite a Dickensian flavour, but even at second-hand, and "longo intervallo" Mrs. Gamp will always be welcome. A very wholesome, amusing story, full of a humour which, though slyly "ironic," is always good-natured—in fact Mr. Pett Ridge is here well up to his best form, and how good that is we all know by this time. “Pearl Island.”

An American edition of “Pearl Island,’’ by H. C. Rowland (Collins, Sons, and Co., per Whitcombs and’ Tombs) was reviewed in these columns over a year ago. It Is a weakly-constructed but not ill-written, and certainly very exciting, story of the South Seas, an adventurous trader. Jack Kavanagh, coming to the rescue of an American bishop, his sister-in-law, and his niece, when they find themselves in sore peril through the rascality of a lawless pearl-hunter and his attendant ruffians. At flint tho niece, who is of the fine fleur of Bostonian priggishness, most mercilessly snubs tho hero, but in the long run she is compelled to relinquish her attitude of exaggerated prudery, and the story has a very pleasant termination for the two loading actors in tho comedy-drama staged on a desert island. The bishop, however, savours more of caricature than reality.

“The Voice of tho Pack.” Mr, Edison Marshall’s story, “Tiie Voice of tho Pack" (Little, Brown and Co., Boston, per Whitcombe and Tombs) has for its hero a young Easterner, Dun Falling, who comes to tho backwoods of Oregon, thin home of his grandparents. to pass the few months more of life alloted to him, as a hopeless victim of lung disease, by his doctors. In the fresh, clean air of the woods Dan, however, rapidly—perhaps a little too rapidly for the reader’s belief —improves so that it is not long before he develops into a comparatively vigorous and hardy backwoodsman. He assists his host, a kindly old pioneer, in. fighting eomepro-

fessional "fire-raisers” and other h-w inhabitants of tho district, and fails in love with his charming daughter, Snowbird. Tho sensational element is not overdone, neither is the sentiment, and the local colour, though by thia time devoid of any special novelty, « pleasantly picturesque. A. wholesome, readable story. “The House.”

Miss Katharine Tynan has, in the past, give us many very readable, if not <j<>nspicuously notable, stories. Her latest novel, “The House” (Wm. Collins,, Sons, and Co.; per Whitcomlie and Tombs, Ltd.), is, however, ft very poor production. The son of n British peer dabbles in Socialism, and insists upon marry mg the daughter of a prominent Labour agitator. His parents, Lord Mid ■’’ a ;, Beauvais, are alarmed for their ' House, and endeavour to thwart the marriage, but in the long run are compelled to admit the charm and fine qualities oi tie young lady—and, well —"the wedding niw a tremendously fashionable function . • . nnd the most charming man in England whispered in Lady Beauvais’s par as they came out of the church, "VVP are all Socialists now. Your boy comN’ i n on the flowing tide,” etc., etc. , Ta® whole story reeks with unreality; in its characters and its dialogue artificial! y is supreme. Miss Tynan should not triflo with her reputation in this way.