THE READERS' COLUMN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 317, 31 May 1913, Page 2

THE READERS' COLUMN.

(Conducted by James Wortley).

THE NEWSPAPER. Quite one of the best additions to the Home University Library (Williams and Norgate, Is net) is "The Newspaper," by G. Binny Dibblee. In ten intensely interesting chapters every phase of the newspaper, and its business in relation to our modern life, is dealt with. In dealing with its function, we are told that "the newspaper is primarily a collector and distributor of news. . . Secondarily, it is a vehicle of opinion, and in virtue of this capacity it often becomes the prey of the mighty or the victim of the long purse; but still it continues to draw from its other powers a capacity for resistance to outside pressure, which guarantees to it more independence than sometimes appears on th,e surface," Very clearly and concisely the evolution of the newspaper is traced to its present very complex, yet thorough organisation. In view of the prominence of the new Australian law on signed articles, it is interesting to quote such an authority as Mr. Dibblee. He writes:—"Anonymity is the institution on which the peculiar success of British journalism is j founded. . . For journalism proper anonymity has many good points about I it. It is the effective shelter under which the journalist can do his daily round of ordinary work, without the natural slackening and the painful fits and starts whicty pursue inevitably the responsible writer. What is lost in brilliance is gained in steadiness. The writer of signed articles is really a pamphleteer, who uses the newspaper as a vehicle just as in other days he would use a pub- | lisher." Chapter five deals almost exclusively with the growth of advertising, and its consequent effect upon the editorial or literary side of the paper. Other chapters give interesting accounts of how news is collected —on reporters and special writers, production and distribution. Mr. Dibblee has some very pithy comments upon various representative newspapers which he brings under review, and impartially discusses, thereby showing the very varied and special functions these perform for the public. The volume is of course not complete without brief mention of the great names in journalism, whether editors or correspondents, and we learn here to place Delane and Archibald Forbes in their right niches. After a perusal of this book, we feel inclined to dofF the hat to the news sheet that daily enters our home. We shall read it with an understanding, not hitherto known, and give to its shortcomings a readier sympathy.

SOME RECENT FICTION.

*"<3uinea Gold," by Beatrice Grimshaw, author of "When the Red Gods call." (London: Mills and Boon, Ltd., 49 Rupert- street; 1912).

We of the south are captured in the first chapter by the deft way Miss Grimshaw introduces her characters. ; A few words only, and rough Joe Anderson, the drunken Rupert Dince, and the wastrel Clay, all seated on the coral strand at Samarai, and discussing the new arrival, George Scott, are clearly limned. Figg's Federal Hotel is a fitting rendezvous for such a cosmopolitan crew. Clay's surmise about the advent of George Scott proves entirely correct. He is after gold, and with the help of Anderson an-' Dence as partners, is entirely successfn'. The story of Scott's surrender to tlcharms of Charmian Ducane, true child of the sunny South, is quite usual and natural. As the story progresses there is plenty of adventure, but the people we, meet are real people, with hearts that love and hate in the old-fashioned way. Mrs. Carter is a typical colonist, capable and managing. She manages even her husband, and for his good. The shrewd common sense Mrs. Carter displays, and her motherly handling of poor Charmian Ducane, will win her a place in the esteem of every reader. Miss Grimshaw writes with true insight, and maintains a very high level throughout. The finish is not disappointing. We are glad Scott returns to Belfast, and takes up his old life in tho thoroughly straightforward manner he does. *"A Cry in the Wilderness," bv Mary E. Waller, author of "The Woodcarver of 'Lympus," etc. (London: Andrew Melrose; 1912). The delineation of Marcia Farrell is a masterpiece of clever and faithful portraiture in which Miss Waller reaches her "best vet." Marcia is a New York girl of doubtful parentage, who, tired of the ceaseless round of work in the citv, replies to an advertisement for domestic help in Canada. It is thus she meets Delia Beaselev. who has already como into her life before, but till then unknown to Marcia. Delia Beaselev is one of those grand practical women who are the salt of the earth. There is little of culture about her. but the heart of Delia beats true .to the. primal instincts of every noble woman. In going to Canada Marcia is able to leave the fetid streets and sordid lodging of the city for the wholesomeness of a Scotch home near the St. Lawrence. In Janet McLeod Marcia finds another good friend, and in her home develops the native nobility and womanliness of her character. The plot hinges upon the identity of Mr. Ewart, but all is well that ends well, and this story ends vervwell. Incidentally we get some capital sketches of American city and country life. ' NOTES. Thus ,T. R. Spears in "Master Mariners" (Home University Library):— "Any review of the wars between the Dutch and the English shows they were really waged for supremacy on the high seas. To secure that end the Navigation Acts were passed, but they achieved their end only as they led to war. The Dutch came out of the wars greatly exhausted, Their shipping was yet profitable. but there was a too scanty su,pport for it in their agriculture and manufactures. The Dutch had' "pyramided."— the foundation upon which tliev had reared their sea power was too small to support it. This feature of Dutch history might well receive the careful consideration of those Governments that are now taxing their peoples to the last gasp in order to build more and greater war fleets. An increase in taxes was never known to increase the efficiency of the people." "The Wav of an Eaifle." the popular novel by Miss Ethel Dell, of the Wairarapa, which is having such a great sale, both at Home and in the colonies, was, we understand, offered to a New Zealand, firm of publishers, and promptly turned down. A prophet hath no honor, ete. Books, pictures., music, scenerr. and people are all difficult things to talk about, because they are not " wholly definite and tangible things, bul depend so enormously for (heir value upon something in the heart of 1 Ik. persons who read, see, hear and observe tlieni.—A C. Benson in "Along the Ron,]" (.rallies Nisbet 7s fid). ''File Amateur Gentleman," bv Jeffrey I'arnol, will be reviewed in our ne\fc issue. *Sent ■ in for notice bv My. A, S Brooker, the B.K. Bookshop. Devon street.