THE MAGAZINES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12087, 16 August 1917, Page 8

THE MAGAZINES.

"THE ROUND TABLE." In " The Hound Table " for June a panoramic sketch oi tilie struggle between the forces of absolMtism and tho forces of freedom, between Bismarck's authority " by tho Grace. of God " and authority •' by 'tho will of the people " —Lincoln's Government, of tihe people by the people &nd for tho people— than has culminated in the outstanding Prussian crime, shows how tho absolutLsts were driven into that erimo by tho. Frankenstein of their own creation, and how tho New World upset their calculations when democracy rose for freedom in North and South America, Australia, South Africa; how in Russia the revolution came; how Prussian absolutists, driven into a corner, have cume forward with a hypocritical programme of domestic reform. Tho mala lidos of that programme is clearly shown, and there is a clear exposition of what this great, war means to absolutism when the Central European nations are beaten. Tho Imperial War Cabinet and the new developments in tho Constitution of the Err.pjro of which it is an indication, are the subject of an Imperialistic toned article which discusses the irnpoitant resolution oil the constitution of the .Empire passed by the- AVar Conlei ence. Tho value and the effect of ihe admission of representatives of tiio dominions and India, to a consultative share in determining foreign policies js admitted, and tho question of giving the overseas people, representatives in a body politic to govern the Empire iis discussed. In " The. Education of the Citizens" are treated the real meaning of education and of citizenship and the differences between the results of the British system—or lack thereof—and the German strenuous and persistent. national education. "Autocratic rulers by means of this instrument havo determined beforehand what a whole people shall desire and will and do." The writer discusses whether Britain will rise to the level of computing the uses of education in terms of " an efficient and happy manhood." He points out that, generally, education—as ordinarily understood —ceases when tho youth 'enters a calling and the. conditions of "modern industry are against a continuance of systematic efforts at enlightening the mind or forming tho character; Germany with all her system has left hor people ignorant and) morally confused. All ethical considerations are alien to 'the State"! And it is not to thcs churches, but tio the Universities, that moral reformers look for education amelioration. The steps in 'the crystallisation and cianhcaiion of American puulw opinion that preceded the entrance of America into the war are traced; the ridiculousness of the efforts o? the pro-German minority appears clearly in contrast to the vigour of tho party that backed President "Wilson m declaring war; yet had Germany "not made it impos&iblo' for America to preserve peace without loss of self-respect it is probable that the course of neutrality would havo been resolutely maintained throughout the war." Mow Germany has done a

great deal to break down tho old tradition that England is the foe of the United States. Those who desire to know tho facts as to Turkey and Asia Minor will study with profit the able exposition entitled "Turkey—a Past and a Future." Two good maps illustrate the writer's contentions. Happenings in Britain and the dominions are fully and carefully treated. A view of the labour question in Canada is especially illuminating. "CHAMBERS'S JOURNAL." The important question of utilising food waste is dealt with in "Chambers's Journal" for June, and suggestions are given for the treatment of household waste on up-to-date lines by the use of drying apparatus. " A Ruined World" tells of destruction "Somewhere in France." The writer believes, however, that the peoplo will come back when the war-cloud is removed. There are a vivid description of a. day "With the Guns," some thoughts on tile Empire suggested by the meeting of the War Council in London, and the latest official pronouncement as to the divining rod—the' United States Government geologist characterises it as a baseless superstition. Curious thai, ythile the Americo.ll expert condemns the djvimng rod as a superstition in another interesting article, "Superstitions and Their Origin,".it Js accredited by v..ir William Barrett, who believos the diviners are clairvoyant. Articles on the Scdly Isles—a climatically favoured Sarai (th c Tartar capital an the Crimea), Burns's Cottage some reminiscences by Bart Kennedy of a theatrical troupe on its travels in tho States, a number of good stories, including an instalment of Farnol's seriaJ and a thrilling spy story are other contents.