Hutt Library News

Hutt News, Volume 12, Issue 4, 22 June 1938, Page 1

Hutt Library News

With, so much ,at stake in Central Europe these days it is necessary to 'be right up to the mark with one's political' reading for one 'to obtain any clear idea as to the problems and difficulties besetting our politicians and all who help to guide the world towards a better civilisation. In this respect the Lower Hutt Municipal Library is well up to date having a good selection of all the latest books ou such, problems. The residents of Lower Hutt are fortunate to 'bo able to obtain at such a small cost all the latest in good literature, for the ridiculous sum , of twopence a week anyone may -road books that in many instances arc far beyond the ordinary, person's income. Very few books of the better type are published at less than fifteen shillings a copy and many are as much as thirty shillings, but owing to the farsighted policy of the Lower Hutt Borough Council, the Municipal Library is concentrating on being a cultural centre .for the Hutt not just a clearing house for cheap fiction. With this end in view a larger reference scction is also being maintained, and this is free of chargc to everyone. No one who 'takes an interest in European affairs to-day ran overlook the steadily growing importance of Czechoslovakia, for it is both a storm-centre and a stragetic point at which the interests of Kussia, Germany, and Italy meet. It is well known that if Chechoslovakia is invaded, Franco will act as though she herself were invaded; and that since 193(> Hitler has had his plans ready for an invasion. Mr Frcund, author of "Zero Hour" .knows Central Europe and the Danube basin well, and on a recent visit to Prague he discussed the situation with the President, the Premier, officers of the German party, and other lenders. He has written in "Watch (,'zechslovakia!" not an ephemeral political pamphlet, but an account of the •country and its people which is brief, lucid, accurate and of a permanent value. Sir Arnold Wilson has Avritten "Thoughts and Talks, The Diary of a. Member of Parliament 1935-1937." In it he shows that he is in every way a "good mixer": not only is lie equally at home with Cabinet Ministers and chance acquaintances in the train; but also he maintains an excellent mixture of interests iu ideas and movements at home and abroad. In this book ;ire his impressions of the last two and a half years, -recorded month by month. He has travelled widely in this country and in places abroad as remote from each other as Oslo and Salamanca, Kerry and Naples and Prague. He is first and foremost a humanist, with a profound belief in the steady courage and robust comnionserisc: of the wage earning masses in this and other countries. A Disraelian Tory in politics, he sees England still divided into two nations. No party reforms or institutions seem worth keeping unless they naiTOW the gap and help t,o avoid the squandering of national energies, mental j and physical, which characterises some aspects of our social system. The Teinedy at which he hints is neither totalitarian nor socialistic, buf a speeding up of the Parliamentary system. Although there ate definite convictions here, this is not an academic book of theory but an informal and enlightened talk. A book that should delight many is "Wo Are Observed." by W. J. Blyton author of "English Cavalcade," it is the pick of many picked books. Here is an attempt to show what the English character consists of, so baffling to the .foreigner, so taken lor granted by themselves in this book an attempt is made to show some of the many facets in the English character, as seen by the masters 0 f English n-omedy, drama, and satire, with provocative comment by the author and by certain foreign observers of the peoplo o.f the British Isles. Here are 500 years of characters and the novel of to-day, drama, radio, poetry and cinema brought together in lively pages that teem with popular and deep human interest. Besides books of general interest the Lower Hutt Municipal Library also add all the best of published Action to its shelves, so that all astes are Altered for. Horace Anncsley Vachell latest book is called "Lord (Samarkand," if is a line novel, worthy of comparison with his best writings, in it lie has painted a vivid and unfoigetable portrait. A powerful 'Press-lord,' Samarkand is tied in loveless marriage to a woman whose religious scruples bar his wish for divorce. The story concerns his bid. for happiness and freedom with the ' woman of his choice. • I "Angels May Weep" is a new romance by Jane Abbott. It is a keen and searching story of poignant human relationships in these times that demand of the individual so much of integrity. A young girl brought up helpless to fend for herself believing herself to be the heiress of plenty of money, is left, in one moment of tragedy alone to .face hitherto unsuspected trials and tribulations; Jane Abbott's warm sympathy and her sharp incisive wisdom, combine to make this a novel of enduring fineness. "This Publication" by Dornford Yates, "Nightingale Wood" by Stella [ Gibbons after Tunning in serial form n through "Woman's Journal" have now U been published in book form. C