THE BEVERIDGES

New Zealand Listener, Volume 21, Issue 534, 16 September 1949, Page 14

THE BEVERIDGES

ON AND OFF THE PLATFORM UNDER THE SOUTHERN CROSS, by William and Janet Beveridge; Hicks, Smith ‘and Wright, mae through Roy Parsons. Price, LORD AND LADY BEVERIDGE did so much in New Zealand and attracted so much attention,- that the main object of the visit may have been obscured. They came because the UniVersity of Otago invited Lord Beveridge to give the first series of lectures on a foundation established by a gift from Miss de Carle. The example of the giver and of the University should be noted by citizens and other University centres. It would be good for this country if a line of eminent persons came from abroad on a similar mission. If any visitor to New Zealand has deserved. the memorial of print, it is surely the author of the Beveridge Report. So here we have in a small neat volume Lord Beveridge’s de Carle lectures in Dunedin, and other addresses

and one article by himself and Lady Beveridge. With these is a lively record by Lady Beveridge of their experiences and impressions in New Zealand and Australia. Much of the value of this printing lies in the assembling of social problem facts and opinions by a great expert and humanist. For example, if you wish to know just what the differences are between the social security systems of ‘Britain and New Zealand, here is the information. "Voluntary Action for Social Advance" sets "out © admirably Britain’s immense achievement through such action, argues that there are things it can do better than the State, and discusses the problem of combining the two policies. {The Economic Position of Britain" is a title that speaks for itself only too insistently. The "Illusions" which, in Lord Beveridge’s opinion, help to block the way to national recovery, should be studied by all, for they apply to every democracy. But Lord Beveridge is convinced that the most vital problem of all is how to make peace lasting. World | security comes before social security,"and he sees the solution in a system of world government. In her travelogue Lady Beveridgeis observant, witty, warmly grateful, criti- cal in a few places, but always sympathetic, She noted aspects of the 40hour week in New Zealand and Australia, "Generally, the week-end in Australia is not quite as workless as it is in New Zealand," but one or two of her Australian experiences were exasperating. Both she and her husband discuss the alleviation of the housewife’s lot. Perhaps the best example of Lady Beveridge’s capacity to appreciate the new is her glowing description of Perth University, Western Australia. If a colonial is surprised that an Englishwoman, steeped in the traditions of the old world, should find so much beauty in the buildings and setting of a university in an Australian State with a population of half-a-million, he should also feel encouraged, But-has any New Zealand University centre received such praise?

Has any, deserved it?

A.

M.