LITERATURE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3590, 2 January 1923, Page 62

LITERATURE.

NOTES ON BOOKS. A life 'of Lord Rhondda, who will live in history for his great services as Food Controller during the period when Britain was faced with the eminent danger of famine, has been written "bv his daughter and others” (Longmans, 21s net). Wales in our days may well he proud of the part its manhood played in Imperial affairs. D. A. Thomas, later Viscount Rhondda, was by environment and talent marked out for success in business rather than in politics, and Mr Lloyd George, recognising his (capacity, though the two had not been political friends, called linn to reorganise the national system of food control, and Lord Rhondda in this vitally important matter thus nlayed in the highest degree the organising skill and the energy that had made him one of the industrial magnates of Britain. He gave his life to his country, for, though suffering from heart disease, and warned by his doctors that strenuous work would shorten his life, he would not give up the task he felt himself fitted to perform, but held on unflinchingly, . and died at his post. The portion which Lady Rhondda has contributed to the book is specially interesting., showing her father in his private life, and giving particulars o-f the home in which she grew up. She has left the other contributors to record her father’s political career and industrial achievements.

A hook by one of the leaders-in-chief of Bolshevism must interest all whatever their political and (social creed may be. , And “The Defence of Terrorism : A Reply To Karl Kautsky,” by L. Trotsky, is issued at the popular nrice of 3s 6d net by The Labour Publishing Company, and by M essrs Allen and*-Unwin. It contains a preface by Mr H. N. Brailsford, who calls it “the most typical expression of the Bolshevik temperament which the revolution has produced. The book, as its title indicates, has been written to controvert the attacks on Bolshevist theories made by Kautsky, a leader of the German Social-Democrats. Both writers are largely occupied with the economic doctrines of Mart and Engels. Tn controversy Bolshevists show as much intolerance and virulence as might be expeeted. Trotsky’s line of defence is the same as that employed by the advocates of German fright-fulness. “The problem of revolution, as of war, consists in breaking the will of the foe. forcing him to capitalise and to accept the conditions of the conqueror.’’ “The revolution does require of the revolutionary class that it should attain its end bv all means at its disposal; if required, bv terrorism.” Trotsky’s book was mainly written more than a year ago, and since then a good deal has happened to lessen the confidence of Lenin and himself as to the workability of their theories. “Letters From, China and Japan,” bv John Dewy, Professor of Philosophy, and by his wife, Alice Chapman Dewy (Dent, 9s net). Tt proposes onlv to give in the shape of letters to their children at home the impressions gained by Mr and Mrs Dewy in the course of a few months’ stay in Japan, and a more prolonged sojourn in China. They are especially interested in educational progress and social changes in China, and are deeply in sympathy with the people of this great country in their difficult period of transition.