BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13052, 11 March 1911, Page 3

BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS.

''Alongshore: Where Man and the Sea Face one Another," by Stephen Reynolds] London: MacmiUan and Oonipany-, Limited. , Those wlui have read Mr Reynolds' first hotable work, "A Poor Man's Home," will recognise the same scene in "Alongshore." This book consists of a sctries of humorous and descriptive chapters, most of which have already appeared as sketches in various English magazines, tleanng mainly with the life and dangers of English fisherfolk. It has been the author's aim to show the predominant influence of the sea on a set of men who, even whom they are not afloat, are always looking towards tho sea for their daily bread; and to bring out the poetry, pathos, and jollity tif tinl life Without sacrificing its realisms, he treats longshoremen, not as a picturesque spectacle, but as human beings. It is evident that the author writes with the intimacy and familiarity of the life' of a longshoreman-himself, to whom the things lie describes are part of. liiii every day life and work as a fisherman's mate*. Mr Reynolds introduces as an appendix an essay entitled "Small Holdings on the Sea," a plea for the protection of the small fisherman against the ruinous competition of modern trawling. Ho urgee the adaptation of auxiliary engines to beach fishing boat.s ; in order to extend theJ area of fishing operations and expedite the conveyance of fish to the. market. Ho regards the use of motor boats as the only available means of arresting the otherwise almost hopcr less and wholly deplorable- decline in small fishing. "In view," he says, "of tjio supreme irep\orta>nGe to. siiiy maritime- nation, let alone England, of possessing a numerous and hardy seafaring population—an importance attested over and over again by naval history—the need of encouraging and fostering the small fisheries is no less urgent- iliah the much-debated land problem."

"Prohibition, a Blunder" is the title of a 68 page pamphlet by Dr. Salmond, tho veteran Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy at Otago University, and which makes the most interesting contribution, to the controversy wo havq seen for a long time. As the title implies, the writer argues against the prohibition of the sale and us? of intoxicants, or as he puts it, the conversion of the country into a "Universal Compulsory Total Abetiuencci .Society;'1 Tlicj professor examines the ease of the Prohibitionist from the theological, historical, and physiological points of view, and makes an extremely able presentation of his conclusions. Professor Salmond says he is not confident of achieving much in beating back a well meant, erratic movement, but one must not measure his acts by calculations of this kind. The people, with the fine optimism of youth, seem ready to adopt as a national motto 'expevimentum fiat in corpus vili.' We may thus serve an important function, and make New Zealand an object lesson and beacon to nations afar off, and to future generations ; but the experiments arc apt to be severe and costly to the corpus vili on which they are made." Speaking of the reception his essay is likely to meet at the hands of his opponents, the professor says: "If any choose to notice this production I expect nothing but severe criticism ancl relentless hostility ; and I make no objection, for, in so doing, Prohibitionists will drnl with me only as I have dealt with them. Thero are, however, certain forms of answer I deprecate. I object to being prayed for and prayed over. I object to having holy hands held up over me. I object to expressions of deep regret- that a gentleman occupying such a position should lend himself to countenance the drinking customs which are the ruin eif so many souls, and so on, after a. fashion too well known. These are only cunning ways of begging the question in dispute." Whatever the personal convictions of the reader may be, much profit may be derived from a peirusal of Professor. Salmoncl's brochure.—

(Dunedin: Jolly and Braik; price, one shilling.)

Tho current issue, of the "Lone Hand," received from Mr. A. Robinson, contains the first of a. series of exposures of social abuses in Australia. Thei opening instalment deals with the troubles of the "home, workers" of Sydney, who are employed by foreign and colonial sweaters. If the article reflects anything like the real position, a system so vicious constitutes a grave reproach upon the Commonwealth. The investigators are Messrs J. Barr and C. A. Jeffries, and Mr. Lionel Lindsay supplies several illustrations. "Through Unknown Territory," is a reproduction of annotated photographs by Francis Birtlos, who recently completed the stupendous feat of cycling round Australia. A very interesting article by J. H. M, Abbott deals with the great irri"ation undertaking at Barren Jack under the title of "Making an Inland Sea." There are other articles, and in addition a budget of short stories, which make the number one of the brightest we have seen.

The March number of "Progress" devotes considerable attention to the approaching solar eclipse, and appeals to the Government to join in the observations by sending an expedition to Nassau and Danger Islands, parts of the annexed group of Raratonga, and other islands.' These islands are some 900 miles north of Tonga, where the Australian expedition of observation is to be located. In the. event of bad weather, the presence of a Dominion expedition at Nassau would be invaluable. A review of British industry in 1910 is worth reading, and the aviation department brings the subject, advanced as it is, up to date.