BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12718, 14 February 1910, Page 2

BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS.

"New Zealand in Evolution," by Guy 11. Scholetield. London; T. Fisher Unwin. j In a mass of literature which makes J New i&euuuul comparatively the Oc-st- j described country m the world, there j Jias been little or no attempt to give a survey of its economic evolution. This want Mr Scholetieid lias set himself to supply, and though many probably will not agree with his conclusions, the industry with which, lie lias prosecuted his research, and his honesty of purpose, are above question, xhe author is m an especially lavourablo position to undertake his task. l<'or many years actively engaged in journalism in New Zcalaud, and latterly acting in an editorial capacity in London for several of the Dominion's leading newspapers, ho lias been able to. apply himself diligently to the study of the political, economic, and industrial problems of New Zealand, to watch the various stages in the working out of their solution, and to estimate the efficacy of the means adopted by progressive legislatures. to meet the needs of a growing country. He is largely the chronicler of the history of his own time, and evidently a close and impartial observer/ The result is a work of" undoubtedly great value, not alone to New Zealanders, who in its pages may learn much about their own country they would be the better for knowing, but to students abroad of our efforts to solve social and industrial problems which have long baiTled statesmen and economists and defied solution in older countries.. What has been termed our "experimental legislation" has attracted much attention elsewhere,, and has been much misunderstood. Mr Scholefield gives a very clear and concise summary of this legislation, and enlarges upon the conditions, some of them peculiar to New Zealand, others inseparable from industrial activity anywhere, which called it into existence. As. an apologist for our labour legislation, he writes perhaps the most illuminating part of his book. The effect of his argument is to show that what untoward results and unsettling influences have accrued to industry through the operation of the compulsory conciliation and arbitration system, have not been largely due to inherent defects in the principle itself. • Defects in the system of course there were; there must be in a departure of such magnitude, and only in experience could they be discovered and rectified. But far more has the ill-balanced outlook of the workers themselves, led by insatiable demagogues, been responsible for the circumstances which have laid New Zealand's labour legislation open to question. "Shortly after the winning of the new century, • says the writer, "it became apparent that the arbitration laws had given to the workers as much of the material advantages as they could hope for. lhe flagrant wrongs of ten years earlier had long since been redressed. Wages had been raised to the proportion ot a fair tax on profits, Henceforth, it was apparent, concessions would come more slowly. The industrial conditions in New Zealand were the best in the world. Labour had achieved more than it dared desire ten years ago. Now, unfortunately for himself, the worker feJl into the hands of ©vai counsellors. That wise provision of the Act. which forbade the appearance of lawyers in the hearing of cases before the boards,' had given rise. to a crop of something much worse for the relationship of labour and capital v than educated legal advocates, ilhe professional union secretary developed into th© most bitter and withal ignorant pleader. Some of th© unions, under the advice of these men. became insatiable and unreasonable in their demands. They would never leave well alone. The professional organiser became quite a feature of the labour world, and the same men who 'organised' certain trades into unions appeared in the courts presently to earn fees as their advocates in disputes. The Court naturally hesitated to grant increases which the condition of the trade did not seem to justify, and labour became discontented and maligned the Court." In other sections Sf the book: Mr Schoteteld deals at 'considerable length with the evolution of the Dominion's trade and industry. He describes the growth oi the flax milling industry, and its constant fluctuations, aiid how the atate grading system assisted in builduig it up upon a firmer foundation than the efforts of individual millers putting into practice varying methods would have ever accomplished. In the same way the marvellous expansion of the wool industry, now worth over seven and a half millions sterling annually, of gold and coal mining, meat freezing, and dairying is expressed" in a dispassionate statement of fact, supported by figures obtained from official sources. Even pursuits of secondary importance such as kauri gum digging and sugar Te~ fining are noticed. Such departures as State life and fire insurance and State coal mining are also dealt with, and the fiscal arrangements of the Dominion are discussed, generally in favour of protection- An introduction is written by Mr W. P. Reeves, and the interest of the book is greatly enhanced by a number of striking photographio reproductions. The "Review of Reviews" for February is just to hand. The subject of the character sketch is Mr Ure, Lord Advocate of Scotland, and is full of present time interest. The books of the month include studies of "The Survival of Man," by Sir Oliver Lodge; and "The Story of how Old Age Pensions came to be," by Hr Herbert Stead. The critique of the latter is a charming description of a charming book. In addition to other interesting features there are two full page illustrations of notable persons. One is the jxrang King of Portugal when on his visit to England, riding through the coverts with King Edward ; and the other of Madame Steinheil, the defendant in the world famous murder case. Another full page illustration is the portrait of Mr Herbert Gladstone, the first GovernorGeneral of United South Africa, and Mrs Gladstone. The other sections of the "Review" are well edited and the subjects dealt with are of a high order of general interest. Perhaps the most striking feature of "The New Idea" for February, which is just published, is the additional space given to the young people's entertainment. The fashion department this month is particularly full and useful. The writer in charge of the department gives valuable advice on dresses, millinery and toilet accessories, and shows nearly a dozen, pages of up-to-date designs. Noteworthy, on the literary side, is an interesting article on "Theatrical Stars and their -Salaries," illustrated with portraits of Oscar Asche, Lily Brayton, David Warfield and a quartette of the leading American stars. There is a chatty article, well illustrated, on the lost property department of the railways j a • delightful page of verse by- Helen Roller — the wonderful blind girl — and an amusing skit on the passing of the big hat, written and illustrated by a New Zealand girl. A most amusing serial, "Peter, Peter," occupies prido of place, and is backed up by eight 6r ten first class little stories. Housekeepers and tho women who seek to make the most of their looks are catered for in a dozen departments and special articles.