COATS OFF TO WORK

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24193, 28 February 1944, Page 4

COATS OFF TO WORK

HOUSE IN SECRET SESSION From Our Parliamentary Reporter WELLINGTON, February 25. Members of the House of Representatives took off their coats when they began work on the manpower question in secret session on Thursday evening. About three-quarters of the members took advantage of this concession, suggested by Mr Speaker (the Hon. F. W. Schramm) to minimise the discomfort caused by sitting in a locked chamber on a hot night. Mr Speaker, because of his office, was one of those members who continued to wear their coats, and in addition he had to remain gowned. Before the House went into secret session it was noticed that Mr J. Hodgens (Government, Palmerston North) had set members an example in more comfortable clothing by wearing an open-necked shirt without a tie, REFERENCE SHELF THE NEW EMPIRE Stuaents of the question of Empire reorganisation will not overlook Sir Edward Grigg’s The British Commonwealth (Hutchison. 174 pp. Through Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd,), which develops, among others, the significant ideas that the present marked distinction between the “two Empires, independent and dependent,” must be gradually dissolved; that a “new system of co-operation” through Empire Regional Councils must be developed: and that responsibility for external policy, Imperial and foreign, should be concentrated “in the hands of a single Minister.” POST-WAR EMPLOYMENT An 1.L.0. study. Manpower Mobilisation lor Peace (78 pp.), reviews summarily the war-time allocation of the Labour force of Britain, tho Dominions, and the United States and goes on to deal more comprehensively with the problems of re-employment to follow and with some proposals already framed. A primary object is “to promote public discussion,” as the precondition of “the enlightened social policies which will be needed.” WOMEN’S WORK Mrs Ethel M. Wood, honorary secretary of the committee on Woman Power, has in Mainly for Men (Gollancz. 128 pp.) reviewed the disalibities, or disqualifications—political, economic. and so on—under which women compete or share with men in the functions of citizenship. Her facts and arguments, which need some but not much translation ; to fit New Zealand conditions, are pointed by reference to the demands of war. THIS IS RUSSIA Mr Maurice Dobb’s U.S.S.R.: Her Life and Her People (University of London Press. 139 pp. Through Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd.) was written to provide “an introduction to fuller studies” and, particularly, to assist "children and young persons” and those who teach them. Many older readers will welcome it for the virtues of a simple but by no means shallow treatment.