LITERATURE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19695, 23 January 1926, Page 4

LITERATURE.

BRITAIN AND NEW ZEALAND.* THE GROWTH OF EMPIRE. By Constant Reader. In recent years a number of books on New Zealand, its history, its geography, its scenery, and its general attractiveness have been published; but no previous volume has covered precisely the ground occupied by Miss J. I. Hetheringtou, M.A., of Wellington, in blew Zealand. Its Political Connection with Great Britain.” Miss Hetheringtou, who filled a position for many years on the stall ot the Wellington Training College, has manifestly undertaken a work involving much patient research. Indeed, it is one of the main merits of the book that the author has in every case gone direct to the original sources for her information, accepting no second-hand authority where there was a possibility of consulting th\documents in the case. The story of the genesis and gradual growth of the political connection betwecv the Dominion of New Zealand and the Motherland is a most engrossing one. It illustrates strikingly the marvellous development of the British Empire, showing how that development seems almost to have been shaped by an inexorable destiny. The story has also direct relation to the altered and altering relations between the overseas dominions and Great Britain, as emphasised by the aftermath of the Great War, and as brought into strong relief in the Treaty of Locarno, which will evoke discussion at the forthcoming Imperial Conference. These and other considerations combine to render the issue of Miss Hetherington’s book most opportune. The present work, which is the first of two volumes, is divided into two sections, the first dealing with the period from the discovery of New Zealand up to the point of British Annexation, and the second covering the Crown Colony period. A second volume, which is in preparation, will describe the attainment of representative and responsible government in New Zealand, besides outlining the recent developments in the political relations of Dominion and Motherland. In the beginning, if what seemed to be the natural course had been followed, New Zealand would have belonged to any other nation but the British. The discoveries of Tasman gave the Dutch the original claim to the new territory. Miss Hetheriugton points out that the chart made from Tasman’s Journal and Observations remained on the wall of the Town House of Amsterdam as a proof of their claims should they ever find it proper to make settlements in that part of the world, but no Dutch expedition sailed for the country again, and the Dutch claims had expired through lapse of time long before other national interests manifested themselves.” It might have been expected that, failing Dutch enterprise, Spain or Portugal would have followed Tasman’s trail, but instead it was the French who competed with the British for the possession of New Zealand, the incipient struggle lasting from 1769 for the following 70 years. Under the heading, ‘“lnterests of Other Nations,” Miss Hetherington deals comprehensively and clearly with the Dutch and French claims and with the establishment of the British claims by Captain Cook. Miss Hetherington reveals how narrowly New Zealand escaped from becoming a convict settlement. All the efforts of Captain Cook and other farseeing men to secure direct British recognition of New Zealand failed. “ The real centre from which settlement came and British regulation was consistently urged was from the neighbouring continent of Australia (New Holland)) as soon as part of it came to be occupied.” Miss Hetherington continues: In all the proposals for the colonisation of New Holland, afterwards called New South Wales, as a solution for the convict transportation problem of Great Britain, there was mention of New Zealand also. That of James Maria Matia, in 1783, especially recommended New Holland as a refuge for the loyalists of North America and as a “new outlet for the criminal population in place of the transportation to Africa which had been substituted for the North American colonies now closed by their revolt ’on account of the facilities it would afford for obtaining supplies ot timber and of the New Zealand hemp or flax plant from New Zealand. The plan of Sir George Young Admiral of the Navy, in 1785 recommended the same locality for the same purpose and added the same inducement of New Zealand flax. A curious proposal is to be found in the State papers of the Home Office belonging to the 1733-1786 period, which recommends New Zealand as a scene for an interesting experiment—viz., “the turning loose of a body of convicts, with animals, seeds, implements and other necessaries of life. 'The originator of the idea saya: “It is easy to foresee that tho’ they might at first quarrel and commit outrages on each other, yet in a short time mutual convenience and security would unite them into social bonds and some form of government would take place even though none should b© given ‘them. 1 * It seems little short of a miracle that New Zealand was not incorporated with Now South Wales and made a convict settlement. “The importance and attraction to British enterprise of either tips flax or the timber of Now Zealand,” says Miss Hethe.rington. “was scon overshadowed by the up-growth of tile whaling industry. She goes fully into the details of the beginning of the period of violence and outrage which broke out as a’ consequence of the continual conflicts between the visiting whalers and the New Zealand Natives, and which led to all manner of reprisajs. Attempts were made to control this disorder from Now South Wales. Miss Hetherington writes:— It became obvious that the attempt to use the commission of the peace or tho extended powers of the courts of New South Wales and Van Dieman’s Land had failed entirely in the repression of disorder in New Zealand. To a Government not intending future annexation it would have been open to acknowledge this at any time up till 1830, placing tho country, as it were, out of bounds, and leaving individual ships or persons to visit and trade there at their own risk. In 1830 the direct responsibility of British subjects for two horrible outbreaks of inter-tribal warfare made the adoption of this course a moral impossibility for Great Britain. The conditions which led to the appointment of Mr James Busby as British resident in Now Zealand at a salary of £SOO a '.ear are fully ret forth, together with the instructions to the Resident from the Now South Wales Government and on account of tlie support afforded in carrying oi - the instructions. The tangle was increased by the appointment of a second British Resident at Hokianga in the person of Lieutenant Thomas M‘.Doniiell. There were further complications in die fact that tho coasts of New Zealand wore under tho partial supervision of the Vice-admiral commanding tho Indian Squadron. After much clashing of authority it was decided to supersede tho Resident and place New Zealand under tho supervision of the Admiralty. TTiis led up to the decision of the Colonial Office to make Now Zealand a Crown Colony and to the appointment of Captain William Hobson as Lieutenant Governor of the Islands of Now Zealand under the Captain-General and Governor-in-ohief of New South Wales. The second section of the book follows well-worn ground describing Now Zealand as a dependency of Now South ’Vales and the launching of the New Zealand Company. A tribute is paid to Governor Grey. “Throughout Ins first period of administration, from 1845 to 1853, tho policy of the British Government in Now Zealand was the policy of Governor Grey.” “Tho first Governorship of Sir George Grey appears to have been indeed a consolatory and grateful period in the history of the relatione between the Homo Government and its Colony of New Zealand.” The book is attractively written and reads pleasantly. It will be found invaluable fo* reference and it should take its plaoe as an authoritative work on the political oonneclion between Great Britain and New Zealand.

BALTIC BACKLANDS* ' THEIR INFLUENCE ON .WESTERN CIVILISATION. By Constant Roads®. ■ There is groat gratification in a first-class travel book; and when to the thrill which tile traveller is able to pass on to the reader are added information and conclusions bearing directly upon the future of the settlement of Europe, the gratification becomes proportionately greater. This is exactly what Mr A. MacOallum Scott has accomplished in his brilliant book "Beyond the Baltic,” the letterpress of which is adcrnod with a number of unusual and striking illustrations.- Mr Scott is a great believer in the Baltic, which ho likens to n northern Mediterranean Sea, whence came the Gothic onrush that eventually possessed Europe. He glorifies the Baltic as “the home oif the Vikings, the Amber Coast, the great Overland Route to By-zant-ium and the East, the last fastness of Paganism in Europe, the pioneers who broke the Wild, the Kingdom of Rurik, and the Empire ot Peter the Great, the Debateable Land be tween Europe and Asia, the Westward march of Asia in our own day, the sudden emergence of self-governing States of aboriginal races which for two thousand years have survived, almost unknown to the rest of Europe, beneath successive layers of Scandinavian, German, Polish and Russian conquerors.” » To illustrate and establish this theme Mr Scott undertook an extensive journey, the starting point being the Baltic, which ho entered by way of the Kiel Canal on a morning in mid-May. This naturally gave opportunity for a recital of the feats of the Vikings, their prowess and their craft, and for a description of the Varangian route from the Baltic to the Black Sea and on to Constantinople. The narrative is studded with stirring incidents sung in the Saga “in the Viking nails' of Iceland, Shetland, Orkney and the Isles, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Eastland age and at the feasts of the Varangian Guards at Constantinople. The story is traced right up to the time when Sweyn Forkbeard, of Denmark, fulfilled his vow and conquered England : “The remnant of the Free Company of_ Vikings of Jonisburg took service with him in England, and the company, constantly recruited, continued there through the reign of Canute and his sons, right up to the reign of Edward the Confessor. They had their headquarters in London, and th e Church of St. Clement Danes, in the Strand, occupies the site of their camp. It is a far cry from the Thames to the Baltic, and further still from the twentieth century to the tenth, but here is a book that binds them together.” The outstanding merit of Mr Scott’s fascinating book is the way in which he links up the past, the present and the future. In ten brief pages he surveys the history of the Baltic from ancient times until, the end of the nineteenth century. He pictures Germany as once more one of the Great Powers of Europe aiming at supremacy. “The putting and the widening of the Kiel Canal,, the founding of the great naval base at Kiel, and the building of a fleet which was surpassed only by the British Navy, gave her the mastery of the Baltic. In the early days of the European War Germany strode triumphantly towards her goal on the Baltic. After the collapse of Russia she occupied Poland. ' Lithuania, Kurland, Livonia, and Esthonia, and was preparing the way for a vast extension of the German Empire. But she met her fate on the Western Front, and the sceptre of the Baltic and of-much else besides, fell from a nerveless grip.” Mr Scott goes on to show how the downfall of Germany was the opportunity for fresh developments in European politics and his comments have direct reference to pre-sent-day happenings: — The aboriginal races, which had been hidden for so many centuries from the rest of Europe under successive layers of conquerors, but which with stubborn tenacity had retained, in the huts of peasants, their ancient language and traditions, rose from the ruins of the Russian Empire' as separate and independent republics. Finland, had already for over a century enjoyed, a certain amount of independence, and was the most highly developed politically. Esthonia, Latvia, and Lithuania were inexperienced in the art of selfgovernment. Poland, still dreaming of her tragic and romantic past, obtained a corridor through Prussia, giving her also access to the Baltic, and to the Free City Danzig, at the mouth of the Vistula. And Soviet Russia, once more a semi-Asiatic State, still retains an outpost in the Baltic at Leningrad, as the city of Peter has now been rechristened. What of the future? Will the new republics have the wisdom or the good fortune to solve the difficult economic and political problems with which they are confronted? Does Russia meditate recovering her lost provinces. Does Germany brood over revenge? Will Poland cease to dream dreams and concentrate on more humdrum domestic tasks? Sweden looks on perplexed and somewhat aloof. The new States discuss the problem of a Baltic League in an academic manner. Baltic politics have entered upon a new and intensely interesting phase. In his wanderings Mr Scott landed at Reval, and visited Potrograd and Moscow. Afterwards he went to Latvia, Poland, Lithuania, Esthonia, ail within the confines of the former Russian Empire. He also visited Danzig and Memel. A considerable portion of the book is devoted to Soviet Russia, and Mr Scott’s descriptions and conclusions constitute a reliable aid to a comprehension of what is actually going on in that great land. As a result of his observations he concludes:— The meaning of the Revolution, is that Russia has once more become an Asiatic State. It had always a strong Asiatic element to the Baltic influence, and that clement is now dominant. The Europeanising work of Peter the Great has been undone and the frontiers of Asia have been moved westward from the Urals to the Dnieper. The thing which is growing up in Russia is not Communism as we conceive it, but Government by Chartered Company. The Government of Russia is a great capitalist trading organisation, like the old East India, Company, which monopolises gll the external trade of the country, Both export and import, and does not worry so much the internal trade, except to tax it. The final portion of the book headed “Under New Flags” is devoted to details of life and politics in the now republics which have arisen out of the former Russian 'Empire and which form a series of buffer States between Soviet Russia and Western Europe. Amid much that is picturesque and romantic Mr Scott evolves two general ideas: The new frontier between Russia and the seceding provinces is no haphazrd one. It corresponds with sharply marked differences of race, language, and religion which have existed for over a thousand years. The war and the revolution did not create it, hut merely secured its recognition. All these Baltic States look forward with apprehension to the time when the Russian Giant wil! have recovered his strength. Their real problem, however, is not so much one of military defence as of economic stability. The efforts which are being made to form a Baltic League which will include not only Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, but also Finland and Poland are baaed upon a misconception of the problem as mainly one of military defence. These efforts hang fire. A much smaller League, or closer Union on Federation, of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania would suffice and, indeed, is essential for economic stability. Mr Scott discusses the formation of such a Baltic Union, and makes several valuable suggestions. It must not he supposed, however, that his book is mainly occupied with political problems, although these inevitably emerge. Besides the interesting glimpses given of a historic past, there are present-day scenes of an attractive sort. “In these strangs lands,” remarks the author, “among peoples, languages, anl conditions, too little known beyond their confines, there is much to interest and much that intimately concerns the future policy of Europe. In Vilna, Warsaw, Danzig, Memel, Kovno, Riga, Revel, and Dorport I came in contact with beautiful sights, picturesque permnalitics, and perplexing problems. Many conflicting influences were at work, but

patriotic statesmen have already accomplished marvels in the way of reconstruction.” Mr Scott wields a ready pen, and he is in love with his subject. Accordingly he makes the very best use of the abundant material at his disposal. It is safe to say that “Beyond the Baltic” will be one of the most popular travel books of the season; and the student of affairs will keep it ready to hand for constant reference. BRIEF MENTION. I.—MAETERLINCK ON EGYPT. To the popular pocket edition of the writings of Maurice Maeterlinck there has just been added a volume of essays dealing with Ancient Egypt, its art, manners, and people. The translation into English is the work of Mr Alfred Sautro. In contrast with the Egypt of to-day, M. Maeterlinck places tho Egypt of the time of tho Pharaohs, treating especially of the wisdom of the priests, and the secret religion and the spiritual atmosphere of ancient Egypt. To comprehend the character and temperament of the people of Egypt it is essential to know something of their ancient history, and this is given in an admirably compressed form within tho fewer- than 100 pages of this little book. Not only does the author show an exhaustive knowledge of the subject, but his writing, even in translation, impresses by its charm and felicity. “Ancient Egypt” is published by George Allen and Unwin at 3s 6d net. 11. VERSES FROM PUNCH. For many, many years Punch has exerted a sway over the minds of a considerable section of the English people as complete as the Bulletin has over tho people of Australia. Anything bearing tho Punch hallmark wins general approval. There has just been issued a volume of “Child Verses from "Punch’ ” illustrated with some dainty drawings by Phyllis Chase (J. Saville and Co., per Whitoombo and Tombs; 3s bd net), which, is published by arrangement with the proprietors of Punch. The verse= arq written for children or about children, and the collection will please all who delight in the ways of the younger generation. There are over 30 poems in the book, the work of a score or so of authors, and striking all manner of differing notes. Punch readers who admired the poems when first they were published should welcome this opportunity of securing them in permanent form. The book is daintily produced. 11l SERBIAN POETRY. The Serbs have a fine literary past,—a circumstance which the Great War brought into strong relief. In September, 1918, there was published under most remarkable circumstances an English rendering of “The Death of Smail Aga,” by Ivan Mazuranic, the Serbian poet. The poem was first published in 1846, and is well-known amongst all the 'Serbian-speaking peoples. The English rendering of this poem was printed in a cellar in Salonika by Serbian refugees in September, 1918. A demand for a second edition having since arisen, the translator, Mr ,T. W Wiles, arranged with Messrs George Allen and Unwin to issue the book at the popular price of 2s net, Mr Wiles remarks that ‘The Death of Small Aga’Ts “one of those poems that can be translated,” and ho cites an eminent Serbian authority as saying “Our four century struggle in tho Balkans for faith and freedom has at length found its Homer.” Mr Wiles gives a spirited rendering of a spirited poem and English students will be grateful for this introduction to a Serbian classic. IV. EMPIRE BUILDERS. From the Clarendon Press. Oxford, comes a copy of “Builders of the Empire,” by James A. Wilson, a profusely illustrated narrative in which the life-stories are told of a number of the men whose daring and heroism have combined to make th© British Empire what it ie to-day. The list begins with John Cabot, the discoverer of North America and ends with Lord Kitchener, and included are names as famous as Drake, Olive, Cook, Nelson, Wilberforco, Sturt, Sir George Grey, David Livingstone and Cecil Rhodes, As with all books issuing from the Clarendon Press, the scholarship is sound and the format beyond reproach. Designed for school use, the work will at once take first rank as a textbook, V.—A DOMINION STORYTELLER. Miss Alice F. Webb, daughter of the late Canon A. S. Webb, of Ormondville, has published a collection of 14 stories of New Zealand life, all of which were originally contributed to various newspapers in the Dominion. The collection is called “Miss Peters’s Special,” after the title of the opening story, which tells how a lady who has missed her train reached her destination as “one package,” weight lewt, description ‘ returned empty/ ” doing so on a mixed train which carried no passengers. This episode, it can scarcely be called a story, is brightly “ written up,” and it is typical of the rest of the collection. The book will appeal to New Zealand readers as faithfully reflecting the everyday life of the Dominion as viewed from an up-country township. The publisher is H. R. Alienson (2s 6d net). VI.—FOR BEEKEEPERS. Mr Isaac Hopkins was described as the “ Grand Old Man ” of New Zealand beekeeping, and it is claimed that to him the Dominion owes primarily its present position among the honey-producing lands of the world. Mr Hopkins pioneered the path which other beekeepers have followed and transformed what at first was only a hobby into a profitable commercial pursuit. Under the title of “Practical beekeeping” has just been issued the sixth edition of the “ Australasian Bee Manual.” Concerning Mr Hopkins, the author, who passed away last year, Mr John Rentoul, chairman of the Honey Export Control Board, says; “A life of over half a century given entirely to the progress and development of practical honey-production would be productive in almost anyone of large knowledge and experience. In the case of the author, with a vigour and mental capacity sustained Jar beyond the average, the 50 years of his 88 years of life given up to practical apiarian development, writings, ami editorial woik and correspondence with the leaders in the beekeeping world, placed him in a unique position as an instructor in bee keeping methods.” This tribute is m itself an attestation to the value of the hook which in every respect has been brought right up to date and abreast of all modern appliances. The book, which is helpfully illustrated, is published by Whitcombe and Tombs (6s Cd). BOOKS FOR CHILDREN. The Religious Tract Society has a reputation for books for boys and girls which are above reproach so far as their content is concerned, and which are also pi oduced in the very best stylo in the matter of print, binding, and illustration. “Kookaburra Jack” (3s 6d net), by L. F. Argyll Saxby, is a tale of Australian school°life, the scene of which is laid in Melbourne. It is a capital story, which will delight the average healthy boy, and which contains interest enough for the average girl. “The House in the Oak Tree,” by Katharine L. Oldmeadow (Is fid not)', is an English story concerning a little girl, who, born in India, comes to England to stay with some relatives. Both hooka arc pleasingly illustrated by Mr Arthur Twiddle, and they will make tho sort of reading required for the holidays.