BOOK OF THE WEEK

Taranaki Daily News, 27 May 1933, Page 1 (Supplement)

BOOK OF THE WEEK

YOUTHS’ RESPONSIBILITY

(By

U.S.)

"Ways of Escape," by Phillip Gibbs. William Heinemann Ltd,, London; per A. J. 'Fyfe Ltd., New Plymouth. Price 9s 6d. First, last and all the time this latest book of Sir Phillip Gibbs 'is an appeal to the younger generation. “Ways of Escape” is a clear-eyed, commonsense statement of all the causes of the present crisis. It pleads for the consideration as a whole of the complexities and troubles that have led to world bewilderment. How conflicting they are can be judged from the fact that although “Ways of Escape” was not published until early this year the author would have had to modify his statements and conclusions in regard to many of the political and economic happenings to which reference is made had he been writing to-day. Sir Phillip Gibbs makes no claim to approach his subject, as an economist. He writes as a plain man in the street who wants to’ see his way out of the fog which appears to be getting thicker than ever, and he proceeds by setting forth as plainly and as concisely as possible the political, economic, national and social factors that appear to him .to act and react upon each other and to have produced or to indicate certain inevitable results. . ’ . ’

It goes without saying that a statement of world conditions made by Sir Phillip Gibbs will be brilliantly clear and fearless. He does not intrude his own opinions so much, but rather places before his readers political and economic facts that are indivisible and have between them caused an aggravation of difficulties which really threatens the breakdown of civilisation. And through every chapter the author emphasises the fact. that upon the younger generation must fall the duty of shaping the policy that shall make for improvement or Collapse. ' Peace or war is no academic subject with Sir Bhillip. He saw war at first-hand, with all its hideous boredom and all its glorious heroism. He has seen war’s utter failure as a means of settling international differences, and the certainty that, to victor and vanquished the cost of war is inevitably greater than its worth.

Intense “egoism of nationalism,” leading to all sorts of complexities, not the least of Which is the clogging of the channels of trade, lack of leadership, the growth of “the machine” and its effect upon employment, even the “Douglas Credit” scheme, the collapse of the fiscal system of the United States, the working and authority of the League of Nations, all these are ' reviewed in the light of their effect upon the' world ..'which the young men and. women of to-day must direct and if possible improve. It must be admitted that the position as it appears to Sir Phillip Gibbs is grave enough in all conscience. Europe an armed camp, except in Germany where the conditions are more or less uncertain; two schools of thought even in Great Britain, the one that peace can only be maintained by “keeping the powder: dry,” the other that such a method will defeat rather than promote the peace of th ■ world; the conflict between Japan and China; the reactions of Communism and Fascism in Europe and Asia; these and many, other factors are passed in review. One may: not always agree with the author’s conclusions, but they, provoke ’thought and demand a. reply. His : appeal to the younger mind is well timed. As he - says if Armageddon comes, a few'years.more or less of life will .tie, of little .- moment to those who have had their days of usefulness. But -the young men and women have to decide —and before long —whether they will support causes-which make for peace ,ahd understanding, whether they, will let things'drift into chaoson the chance of 1 things' righting them-’ selves after the crash, or whether they will submit to the consequences of world-wide strife. It goes without saying that Sir Phillip pleads with Ml his strength for the adoption’ of the first of these courses. He is insistent that the sands of time are running out,’ that the decision must be made promptly if peace is to triumph, and that if youth means business it must get to work and keep at work until a nfew international atmosphere - has been created. Because they must decide the younger folk have the right to know- all the circumstances that have caused the present bewilderment, and that is the justification for “Ways of Escape.”

In regard,.to the British Empire Sir Phillip goes a little further. He makes suggestions, .certainly with much diffidence, for overcoming at least some of the economic evils.- In Great Britain he would try to get many of the unemployed on to small holdings. Not, he says ,to make them farmers .competing in grain, wool, meat and dairy products which he admits can be produced much more satisfactorily in the Dominions, but to give the unemployed a holding upon which a man could grow vegetables, poultry, bacon and the other incidentals to family /catering. Training would have to precede small holding settlement, and he believes this would be possible. For the young men and women he would have organised training to precede emigration to the Dominions, but would organise this by private enterprise rather than by State emigration. The proposals are, of course, only in general terms. They warrant examination, and if they are not convincing, throw the onus upon the critic of suggesting something more likely to achieve success. “Ways of Escape” is not propaganda, it is a warning rather than a prophecy. It shows the inevitability of the results which have left civilisation staggering. The book shows that apparent ruthlessness was but orderly subordination of human desires and anticipations to the working out of principles which are ageold. It suggests conduct based upon better recognition of those principles, and it asks youth “What are you going to do about it all ?” “Ways of Escape” is not a cheery volume. It is intensely interesting and, if opportunity offers, should be read by every man or woman who has any conception of the duties as well as the privileges of British citizenship. Eight hundred volumes to choose from in Dent’s Everyman’s Library. No less than 164 volumes added this week, making stocks complete. Novels, Biography, Travel, Science. A library worth investigating. Wonderful value at 2s 9d per volume. Inspection invited at A. J. Fyfe Ltd.’s Bookshop, Devon Street, New Plymouth.*