PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23631, 15 October 1938, Page 4

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED

International The critical phase through which international affairs have been passing in recent months is reflected in more than one contribution to the September issue of the Round Table. In the field of foreign affairs a correspondent traces the cause of the Anglo-Italian relations* since the Risorgimento, the sources of recurring friction and the causes of modern Italian combatant imperialism, and offers some suggestions by means of which appeasement might be achieved. A Polish correspondent contributes an informed analysis of Poland’s foreign policy, in which he insists that the entire nation desires to strike a balance between Germany and Russia and to have a policy of our own in which closer relations with either is barred.” Another aspect of international affairs is treated in an article on the problem of political refugees, which discusses t.io potential significance for the future of the organisation set up at the Evian Conference. The writer on New Zealand affairs hazards the guess that the nation may well revolt at the forthcoming general election against the financial burden that Mr Savage s scheme of “social security” would impose. , ~ „ In the current issue of the Empire Review Lieutenant-colonel J. T. C. Moore-Brabazon writes confidently as to the future both of military and civil aviation, now that reorganisation plans have been completed. A statement from the Japanese Embassy concerns the Manchukuo-Soviet boundary dispute and settlement, in which the case of Japan for the establishment of a commission is traversed. There are other important articles on Imperial and foreign affairs, in addition to lighter contributions.

A Book About Flowers No garden lover can afford to pass by Mrs Constance Spry’s new book. “ Flowers in House and Garden ” (Dent. 19s 6d), without glancing between its covers. Mrs Spry understands the art of using flowers to make the home

more beautiful. But she is much more than an arist in decoration. She knows what flowers to grow for decorative purposes, and how to grow them. She knows how to keep the garden gay with bloom beyond the limits of the flowering season, so-called by the amateur in flower culture. And she understands that within the house there has to be an economy in the use of flowers, so she preaches restraint as well as selectivity. This book, which is very beautifully illustrated, will not disappoint in any way those who seek it out.

Employee-Partnership Mr H. Valder, of Hamilton, has for a score of years been a lucid advocate of the cause of employee partnership in industry, as a means of infusing added vitality into the company system. In “ Employee-Partnership Under Fire” (Box 3, Hamilton, Is), he sets out points on which critics have expressed disagreement with his scheme, and answers them fully in the hope that by removing confusions he may “move some of the sane industrialists to set an example before it is too late.” Harnessed Light In “A Modern Marvel: The Harnessing of Light” (Electrical Press), Colonel the Hon. Arthur Murray, C.M.G., D. 5.0., the chairman of the Radiovision Company, of London, provides a succinct and interesting account of the radiovision light-ray in operation He describes its many uses in control of street lighting, as a burglaralarm operator, and invisible guard at exhibitions, in the automatic controlling of doors, and other ingenious and practicable ways, including the protection of sleep-walkers.

Bedford’s Bunyaj) Bedford has been celebrating the memory of John Bunyan, who died on August 31, 1688. Bunyan was within a few months of 60 when he died, and comparatively few of his contemporaries reached even that age; mortality statistics of the early eighteenth century show that the majority of people died between 30 and 50, and that only a small minority survived beyond 60. He was still mentally and physically active in his sixtieth year; he was writing and publishing books to the end of his life, and his death was hastened by the effects of a ride in heavy rain from Reading to London The publication of a first Bedford Edition of “ The Pilgrim’s Progress" is part of the celebrations. Dr F. Mott Harrison, the editor, has also chosen the occasion to present a large collection of Bunyan books to the Corporation of Bedford. £3OOO Novel Competition An “All Nations ” prize novel competition is being sponsored in England by Messrs Nicholson and Watson, the closing date being January 31, 1939. It is open to any known or unknown author. The prize money will amount to a guaranteed minimum of £3060 and simultaneous publication will be assured in no less than 12 countries Those desiring to compete can obtain full details and entry form from the publishers at 7 Paternoster row, London, or from the literary agents, Messrs J. B. Pinker and Son, Talbot House, Arundel street, Strand, London, W.C.2.