LESS THAN THE DUST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22344, 15 February 1936, Page 10 (Supplement)

LESS THAN THE DUST

STORY OF THE INDIANS By Mr. A. Traven, author of "Tho Death Ship," "The Carreta,'.' "The Treasure of Sierra Madre," a new novel, "Government," dealing with the heartless corruption and face-grinding despotism of the Mexican Administration under Porfirio Diaz, will appeal to those who like a well-drawn picture in a good satirical vein. It is, perhaps, less a novel of the Indians than a description of the government of them behind the vast pretences and opulent statistics of the Mexican State papers. This is a subject worthy of the pen of a satirist, and Traven fills the bill. Poor Indios! Less than cattle in that they were a bigger nuisance! More than Mexicans in that they carried their heads high, bore their injustices with fatalistic calm, and defended their morafe and traditions with their blood! Traven narrates tho minor triumphs a • i Sllt^eri murders by tho Indians with an especial glee. Ho is their chamPi°n in the dumb struggle against their oppressors. But he notes the humour or situations and provides the leaven of a rather grim laughter throughout his well-told tale.

"Government,"- by A. Traven. (Chatto and Windus.)