NEW ZEALAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22830, 14 March 1936, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND

DR MORRELL'S ADMIRABLE SURVEY " New Zealand." By W. P. Morrell, M.A. (N.Z.), D.Ph. (Oxon). London: Benn. 21s. This book forms one of the " Modern World" series edited by the Eight Hon. H. A. L. Fisher, the aim of which is to provide a balanced survey of the tendencies, political, economic and intellectual, which are moulding the lives of contemporary States. Over 20 volumes have already been issued, all written by distinguished scholars. It is therefore a great honour to Dunedin that an old Duncdin High School boy, Mr W. P. Morrell, son of a former rector of the school, should have been invited to write the volume on New Zealand. However, Mr Morrell, although still a young man, had already achieved distinction by his previous books. He wrote a standard work on " British Colonial Policy in the Age of Peel and Russell," and he edited with K. N. Bel " Select Documents on British Colonial Policy 1830-ISGO." In addition to these valuable historical studies he also collaborated in editing the letters-and journals of Lieutenant H. W. Bunbury on Early Days in Western Australia. But of more local interest than any of these, he wrote a masterly study of " The Provincial System in New Zealand." which is indispensable to any student of NewZealand political history. It is a book which has not yet been sufficiently recognised, but in years to come will be recarded as a classic owing to its lucid survey of an intricate period in New Zealand hiVn-y. The present book on New Zealand cannot fail to enhance the author's reputation, and Mr H. A. L. Fisher is fully justified in describing it as a "wise and instructive volume." In fact, Mr Morrell has displayed his powers as a scholar and historian in a way that will more than warrant his inclusion in the list of brilliant historians who have contributed

to the series, such as Arnold Townbee and G. P. Gooch, of England, Madariaga of Spain, Count Nitobe of Japan, and many others. Any youn/r New Zealand writer i:.- entitled to feel that he has "arrived" when he finds himself in company with men of such world-wide repute. In writing this book the author had to face a difficult task, in view of the fact that the story of New Zealand has already been dealt with by the brilliant pen of W. P. Reeves and in recent years bv Dr Condliffe in "New Zealand in the Making." He has made his approach as far as possible from a new angle by seeking to interpret the history of the growth of the nation and thereafter dealing with various phases of our national life such as farming, manufactures, finance, politics, religion, education, and other subjects. In the historical section he has managed in about one hundred pages to give a clear and accurate epitome of the establishment of British Sovereignty, the successive steps that led to self-government, the period of the Maori wars, the public works policy of Vogel, the Seddon and Massey periods, and the growth of a national spirit, all of which has been achieved without the omission of any essential point in the story. This is a remarkable achievement, and only those who have delved into the intricate and complex early history of New Zealand can appreciate how skilfully Mr Morrell has condensed the narrative without making it a mere dry recital of names, dates and events. Amid all the turmoil of British colonial policy and New Zealand politics, both colonial and provincial, the author moves with a certainty and maturity of judgment that demonstrate his intimate familiarity with the subject, and his trained mind enables him to select the essentials of each situation. After tracing the long controversy preceding self-jrovernment, he says: "Since 1854 broadly speaking the destiny of New Zealand has been in the hands of its own inhabitants to make or to mar." Estimates His estimates of the characters and work of Sir George Grey, Sir William Fox, Stafford, Vogel and others are judicial and accurate. Indeed, the author has the faculty of describing leading public men in a sentence or even a phrase, for example: " Stafford, the man with the best reputation for economical administration"; Moorhotise, " the sanguine Superintendent of Canterbury ",; Sir Donald M'Lean, "the best qualified man in New Zealand for dealing with the Native problem . . . who restored peace to New Zealand"; Vogel, "whose administrative ability fell short of his political imagination and financial skill. As to Atkinson, he says: "With his abruptness, reserve and dislike of display, popularity was? unlikely to come his" way, but his fighting spirit, his blunt honesty and his critical acumen dominated Parliament and won him general respect in the country." Beeves "was for the people but not of the people." Stout accepted the Chief Justiceship, "a tacit admission of political defeat." Seddon " was more than a mere demagogue. He enjoyed the flirtation that he carried on with his mistress the public, but he did not allow it to divert him from the business of government. . . . He appeared to greater advantage in the committee room than he did on the public platform." Sir Joseph Ward "looked and was a capable, genial, well-dressed business man but hardly a leader of the people. He had a quick but rather superficial mind; his Liberalism was sincere and he was loyal to his party's policies, but could contribute neither a new inspiration nor a dominant personality." Massey "had not Seddon's mastery of the demagogic arts nor yet Seddon's dominating—not to say domineering—personality; vet he Ijad many of the qualities of a leader. He led through native ability, courage, honesty—in short, through character." Valuable as is the historical section ot the book, it is the second part which will arouse most interest. The chapters on farming, secondary industries, labour and unemployment, are all clear, concise and accurate. In fact, if any criticism , is justifiable, it is that the author packs his information so closely, and his style is so terse and condensed, that the reader must concentrate on every sentence if he wishes to do justice <o the merits of the book. Perhaps, however, this is a good mental discipline in these days when writers arc apt to loosen up their style and fob off their readers with flowing generalities. In dealing with financial policy the author cives a good description of oiir banking system, of the Reserve Hank and of post-war government, and finance. On the vexed problem of_ the exchange rate, he expresses the opinion that the Government decision "was probably not onlv inevitable but right under the circumstances," yet he is careful to point out that

. . . Constant depreciation of currencies is certainly detrimental to world trade: and it is greatly to the interest of New Zealand tlfat world tr.ade should revive. There was, in fact, in the decision an element of irresponsibility: there was little sign of recognition that the revival of world trade could be helped or hindered by any measures taken by New Zealand. It was the best way out of a situation: but the situation far more than has been generally admitted was the result of previous mistakes of policy. The recent change of Government in New Zealand adds interest to some of

the author's observations on New Zealand politic). "New Zealand," he says, '•'is very willing to use the legislative machinery for the purpose of bringing about or hastening economic readjustment even where in many countries economic forces would be left to bring about the necessary changes." But he points out that the logical consequence of looking to legislation for salvation is not parliamentary democracj—for no Parliament can cope adequately with more than a certain amount of legislation—but bureaucracy. He notes that many of the Labour members are able debaters and says there is a public demand that Parliament should be more businesslike. On this last point the author will no doubt be glad to learn that Mr Savage has promised a remedy, so—perhaps—all should soon be well. The Parties The author says that New Zealand political party organisations are usually weak and not to be compared with the great English party organisations. The reasons | arc shortage of funds, and the fact that organisations are not kept active as in England by constant fear of dissolutions. In New Zealand the power of dissolution exists but is practically atrophied. But the chief reason is that " the average New Zealander is not a party man at all." It is the personality of the candidate and his leader that counts. But the author shrewdly observes that what lie has said about the party system does not apply to the Labour Party. In his view it is, much more than the others, a party in the British sense. He points to its annual conference, national executive, local organisations and its continuous propaganda work. He says quite truly that many who vote Labour are not really Socialist, but vote for the party as " the champion of the working classes and as most likely to secure them an improving standard of living." The Labour members of Parliament are " ae a general rule not only honest and conscientious, but thoughtful and reasonable men," and " There is good reason for thinking that the party has not yet reached the limit of its power." .He notes that the members of the party have gradually ceased to preach class war doctrines, and, without losing their Socialist faith, have concentrated on economic policy. He thinke their present programme i 6 more in the line of Roosevelt than Karl Marx, but in their desire to prevent overseas prices and conditions from dictating standards of living, they under-rate the importance of external factors. It is clear that the author anticipated that existing dissatisfaction might bring Labour into power, or else lead to realignment of parties. He notes the spread of Douglas credit theory. He thinke more openings should be made for university graduates in the civil service, and rightly points out that the higher poets in the civil service *are underpaid. In brief, one may say that just as Mr Morrell, in the earlier part of the book, shows himself to be a sound historian, so in his interpretation of the political situation as" it existed when he wrote last year, he showed that he was also a prophet. He did not go the length ot forecasting a Labour victory, but he read the signs of the times with singular ski and ability. It would be well if all members of Parliament would read nis careful analysis of the history of our railways and the effects of political and non-political control. . "The railway service, he says, is certainly a better service _ than it was before the reforms began in 1925. J lie question of control cannot yet be regarded as a closed question, but the onus is on the opponents of the Railways Board to show that if it was superseded the old financial drift due to the old political influences would not begin again." On the other hand, dealing with our electrical schemes, he says, "it has been shown that a State enterprise conducted by experts and kept out of politics may be an economic success." One would like to quote many of his wise comments on various State activities, but this is unnecessary if the book has the circulation it ought to have. He concludes his survey of State enterprise by saying: "The Labour Party regard even the Public Corporation as a step backward; but others may argue that it is necessary for the State to step backward if it has gone too far—that it centrate upon what it can do best. In later chapters the author discusseg education, religion, culture, and literature, Maori affairs and our attitude towards Imperial affairs and defence. He shows a thorough knowledge of the history of each subject, and his critical remarks under each heading are thoughtful and stimulating. It would be highly fitting that his masterly work should be recognised by the University of New Zealand and that if he is obtainable this country should find room within its own halls of learning for a scholar and historian who at an early age has achieved such distinction overseas. W. JD. o.