New Zealand in the new Elizabethan era

Press, 14 June 1978, Page 15

New Zealand in the new Elizabethan era

A collection of 13 essays concentrating on areas of New Zealand life in the last 25 years has been published to mark the Silver Jubilee of the Queen Entitled "Thirteen Facets,” the book is the Government Printer’s latest prestige publication. It was launched by the Prime Minister at a' special function at the Beehive on June 1. This was timed so that the book would be available to the

public on the anniversaiy of the coronation the next day. The book is subtitled "The Silver Jubilee Essavs surveying the New Elizabethan Age. a period of unprecedented change.” It is edited by lan Wards, of the historical publications branch of the Department of Internal Affairs. Mr Wards said that the hook s 25 years were exactly one-fifth of the 125 years of parliamentary Government in New Zealand. "I am unable to think of a 25-year period of greater importance in New Zealand's history; and if this volume of essays represents what has happened in the various fields tn

that time, then something of lasting significance will have been produced.” The 13 essays were commissioned to cover as broad a view of New Zea land life as possible, and were prepared by 14 New Zealanders who are prominent and greatly respected in their own fields. Within the book's 408 pages they cover an outline history of social development in that time; a discussion of the period’s politics; studies of education, the arts, sci-

ence; an investigation into the financing and structure of local government; an examination of the role taken by women; the place of the Maori in modern society; architectural developments; and an analysis of the economic situation.

The contributors are K. J. Keith, professor of jurisprudence and constitutional law and dean o' the law faculty at Victoria University; W. H. Oliver, professor of history at Massey University; J. L. Roberts, professor of administration at Victoria University; Sir Alan Low, former Governor of the Reserve Bank; Mary A. Ronnie, national librarian at the National Library; P.

S. O'Connor, associate professor of history at Auckland University; Wiremu Parker, senior lecturer in Maori studies at Victoria University; I. A. McLaren, professor and dean of education at Waikato University; Joyce .1. Herd, board member of the National Council of Women and public affairs convenor for the Federation of University Women; MacD. P. Jack son. associate professor of English at Auckland University; Fredrick Page, emeritus professor of music at Victoria University; Gordon Brown, now freelancing in Auckland but a former librarian and curator at the Alexander Turnbull, Hocken and F.lam School libraries and the Auckland City Art Gallery; William H. AHngton, now in private practice but formerly an architect with the Ministry of Works; and Dr R. K. Dell, director of the National Museum and preside'’! of the Royal Society of New Zealand. The foreword for the book has been written by Mr Muldoon. The frontispiece is a full colour photograph of the Queen taken at Vogel House during her most recent visit to New Zealand.

A specially bound edition of “Thirteen Facets” is to be presented to the Queen.

From the Department of Internal Affairs