BOOKS OF THE DAY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17251, 19 August 1916, Page 12

BOOKS OF THE DAY.

THE PROBLEM OF /THE COMMONri'; WEALTH. So much has appeared in the Press relative to the views upon an Imperial Partnership which have been sot forth in lectures and newspaper interviews by Mr Lionel Curtis that any lengthy notice of that gentleman’s book, “ The Problem of the Commonwealth ” (MacMillan and Whitcombo and Tombs) would bo superfluous. The volume is the result of the decision of the various “ Round Tabic ” groups--oontnhutoi* in different oversea dominions to the well-known magazine of that name—that a comprehensive report should be published upon a most gravely important aspect of the Imperial problem, that raised by |ho question “ How a British citizen in the dominions can acquire tho, same control of foreign policy as one domiciled in the British Isles.” This report is now given to the public in Mr Curtis’s book. The author, whilst using materials supplied by his colleagues of the various groups, has used that material in his own way and is careful to state that the conclusions at which he arrives arc the outcome of his own personal sifting .'of the information upon which ho had to gO. It is quite clear that after the. war there must' be sornp very considerable change in tho mutual relationship of tlie oversea dominions and the Empire or the British Commonwealth, which is the term Mr Curtis prefers to employ. ,lt has,_ indeed, become almost an accepted axiom that tho dominions must have a much greater say in the settlement of. problems hitherto dealt with by the Imperial Government-than ever they havo had up to now. The bond of kinship and'the union of hearts is as, strong as ever, and whatever reconstitution of the Imperial.political connection we are fated to witness, that bond, that union, will never become impaired. But tlio magnitude of the, issues nt stake, for the dominions as well as the Mother Country, issues involved by the latter being at war with one of the great Powers, carries with it, as » necessary corollary, .the right of the dominions to express an opinion—to exercise a vote if you ‘ like- upon the question of peace or war. Mr Curtis points out that the oniy alternative-, to closer Imperial partnership would be for the dominions to declare themselves independent republics. That, of course, were impossible. Such a project ccfald only find support from an insignificant section of unthinking,’selfsufficient and mischievous people—and such uro not wanting in cither New Zealand or Australia—who juggle with impracticable theories and flirt with revolutionary philosophy. But granted that the dominions will always be sane i enough to value and preserve the Imperial connection—and in view of the protection afforded us by the Imperial < Navy to do otherwise would be positive insanity—the question remaining to be solved is how best the Imperial connection can be widened and deepened and strengthened until it becomes an Imperial partnership, a full and not a modified partnership, with all the rights and prestiges—all the responsibilities—which such partnership connotes. To find ’ a solution for this problem is the task which Mr Curtis has set himself to perform in his book. ' Ho subjects the history of the Imperial connection with,the dominions to a long and careful examination) summarising much' that is important in past relations ns’ a guide for our conduct in tho Future.’ It is, nojyi ' ever,- the second part of the ’ book- ; which is the more interest- ' ing. In two successive chapters of this section Mr, Curtis puts forward some interesting proposals for tho reform of tho Imperial Executive, and of the Imperial Legislature.- Briefly, very briefly summarised', Mr Curtis pro- . Eposes the continuance of the present British Parliament as a Legislative Chamber dealing only with purely British domestic, affairs. All. Imperial questions would' be dealt with by an Imperial British Commonwealth Parlia--ment in which tho dominions would be represented, and from which would be constructed a purelv Imperial Ministry, controlling the Army and Navy, the foreign policy of the Empire, and tho allotment of such taxation as might kp found' necessary to provide the revenue for all purely Imperial enterprises. their proper control and administration. The proposal is not altof ether novel,- but Mr Curtis is useully suggestive in his careful analysis and discussion of tho various obstacles and difficulties which, could' not fail to aviso in the carrying out of such a scheme. Ho favours the holding of a gfeat Imperial Convention, .at which properly accredited representatives of the dominions, their leading statesmen, ift fact, would meet the statesmen of the Motherland and draw up a cpmnifon basis or groundwork which could then be submitted to the overseas legisIsjjures and peoples for consideration agd criticism. Mr Curtis deals with those cfoestions and others, subsidiary and seriously pertinent thereto, in an earnest, but essentially cautious way, and even where he may fail to carry conviction he will assuredly bo given credit for ail honest and well thought out attempt to solve a great problem. ■' His book is warmly commended to the careful attention of every patriotic and thoughtful New Zealander. A NOVEL EXPERIMENT.

Of prose translations and adaptations of “The Golden Ass,” one of the most Mjonderful and popular satires ever produced by Latin writers, there are not a. few, tho interpolated episode .of “ Cupid and Psyche,” ns translated hjto tho stately Elizabethan prose of Adlingtoa, has always been popular, tho latest editions having been published but two or three years ago. But vfersical adaptations of tho satire by vlhich Apuleius won permanent fame are, I believe, few and far between. Under tho homely title of “Merely a Moke,” a New Zealand writer, J.S-C., bias produced what ho calls “a summary in light verso of Apuleius’ Metamorphoses.” J.S.O. says ho ‘has used siich language as befits modern verso of. a humorous nature. No doubt the project was well intentioned, but in reproducing the work of an author who Was born so long ago a 3 A.D. 130, the use of such essentially latterday expressions as “cop,” “my gory aunt,” “playing at possum,” etc., etc., seems rather out of the picture. J.S.C. has, itf'must be admitted, a very facile pen, afld his summary, or adaptation, as I prefer to call it, of Apuleius’ fatuous satire is by no means without merit. Thero are not a few incidents in tho famous satirical tale which are scarcely suitable for drawing-room discussion, ajid although certain passages have. I fancy—for I have rot by me tho. useful complete, or “crib” translation by Sir G. Head, which is published in Bohn’s Library—been liberally expurgated, nob a little is still left which is decidedly unsuitable for general peinisl. Tho “Cupid and Psyche” story i4.it seems to me, hopelessly and quite needlessly vulgarised, but as showing that J.S.O. has a fine free flow of Words at his command, I may quote the Apuleius’ fascinating portrait of Isis as Lucius sees tho great Egyptian divinity

rising from the waters of the Nile: Then ones again sleep made mo close my eyes, Yet clearly I saw from the waters rise A mist that gathered, till I thought to trace A vague resemblance to a human toco. Insensibly that taco became a form In beauty like when, calm sueceoding storm, Imprisoned moonbeams by a rift set free With opal pencils paint the panting seaA crown of flowers the glorious head arrayed, And under it long silky ringlets strayed) . A silver moon was as a plastron worn; From either shoulders sprouted ears of corn. Her robes of gossamer would change to all Tho lines a prism throws upon «• wall. Her mantle black, so black that blackness glowed, . , Along its edge tho stars in silver showed. .Her right hand hold a sistrum made of tin. With sweetly tinkling rodlnts three withm; Her left hand held the model of a boat, The like of those, that on Nile’s bosom 'float. The buskins that her dainty feet encased Were mr.do of palm leaves cioscly interlaced. Xhe author is his own illustrator. His drawings' display a. vivid imagination, but aro somewhat crude in line and detail. J.S.C. is evidently possessed oka decided gift for versification, girts win oh I trust he will soon display in original and more pleasing work than Merely a Moke.” (The book us published by “ The Business Press.” Auckland).