REVIEWS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 13, 16 January 1932, Page 14 (Supplement)

REVIEWS

“THE REPARATIONS SETTLEMENT,” by Denys P. Myers. (World Peace Foundation). P.p. 249. This is the second notice of a very important volume. The reasons for this second notice are two. One the importance cf reparations problem, and two, the World Peace Foundation has sent to me a second copy. I have previously praised the works of the World Peace Foundation in supplying authentic documentary evidence and facts concerning world problems and leaving the public to draw their own conclusions. The Reparations Settlement is one of those problems which lends itself to such treatment. Indeed, unless somebody undertakes the work of the Foundation it is possible that the reparations problem would become wrapped up in the fog of international controversy. At the present time—it is no exaggeration to say it — the whole world economy is rocking because of the reparations settlement with Germany. In these current repercussions how shall the public be rightly informed. It draw's much of its opinion from half-informed journalism which more than ever leans upon itself, one paper docilely taking a lead from another. While few there be who will

take the trouble to keep themselves properly informed on matters of the greatest moment, how many editorial writers know even the bones of the Reparations Settlement? What actually the Five-Year Plan of Russia is? Few there be. How fewer still know of the construction of the world court which sits at the Hague? Again, how many journalists have anything but the foggiest notion of the Bank of International Settlement is doing? Few, in-

deed, know'. One reason for this lack i of knowledge is that it is not always ; easy to collate this information in the i rush and bustle of daily journalism. It is just here that the World Peace | Foundation’s pamphlets serve such a good purpose. They concentrate the information in very convenient form and although the cheaper student edition does not contain an index, nevertheless the list of contents is always comprehensively detailed that it almost serves the purpose of an index. In the Reparations Settlement the theme of the problem is set out very clearly by Air. Denys P. Myers. The development of the problem prefaces this thesis on the settlement. From the Ruhr occupation down to the establishment of the Bank for International Settlements the statement of the mat- ; ter proceeds by logical steps. What is of greatest importance at the present time is whether under the subnormal conditions under w'hich now prevail, it will be possible to carry out the revised plan which is the subject of this volume. Germany has just announced that she can no longer continue paying the reparations payments. It is, therefore, essential to know what these reparations payments are and there is no better guide to that than the World Peace Foundation Pamphlet, Vol. 12, No. 5, which comes from the able pen of Mr. Denys P. Myers. “SINNERS BEWARE,” by E. Phillips Oppenheim (Hodder ' and Stoughton). A series of short stories. Peter Haines, who was at one time a detective in the New York force, and Miss Sybil Christian, are the central figures and they concentrate on the righting of wrongs. It is not always a case of introducing the arm of the law to bring justice to those who deserve it, but the means often lie ready to hand if matters are allowed to take their course. Paddy Collins is another character introduced in the second or third episode, and he forms an interesting unit in a rather unusual trio. Haines, who has detective ability above the average, baulked at American methods. When the force “framed” a particular prisoner and perjured themselves to send him to the chair, Haines quitted and retired to the seclusion of a pretty little bungalow in a small European republic. There he was discovered by Miss Christian. She leads a double life, her second self being that of Mademoiselle Anna, girl of a somewhat notorious night club. Tn such a guise she is able to “look behind the scenes” and discover tit-bits of mysI tery. With Peter Haines, and, later. : Paddy Collins, to aid her. she is able Ito outwit the plotters and put right numerous wrongs. An entertaining series of Oppenheim’s best. “STOP PRESS,” by Erie Spencer ! Hodder and Stoughton). An interesting and absorbing mystery story, one that gives an insight to the part played by the daily press in co-operation with the police. One is impressed with the fact that the detection of crime and “ho bringing of wrong-doers to justice has become a big part in the life of those whose work is directed to supply the public with news. There are the usual features in this story one invariably associates with a mystery, but its significance lies in the fact that the crime reporter of a big daily is the central figure round which the other characters revolve. The plot is well constructed, and it is difficult to deteri mine the culprit. Quite a surprise is in store. The pulse beats of the daily paper, however, give the tale a greater degree of interest than it would have had had it followed the usual line and centred round a detective of Scotland Yard. In this case the Yard man is a secondary figure entirely and the “nose for news” of the crime reporter carri / “he story far ahead of the points established by the cream of London’s detective force. Conferences, held daily, under the city editor, the never flagging demand for “copy” from the chief sub-editor, the exciting experiences of the crime reporter and his patience at. the dawning of “big scoops” form splendid material, and the author has moulded it with the ability of one who knows what goes on behind the scenes when that rather vague title of “Stop Press” is I flaunted before the public. “THE TOP STEP.” by Nelle M. i Scanlon (Jarrold). This book is interesting in that it is the first novel by this well known New Zealand journalist. She has previously written a book, “The Boudoir Mirrors of Washington,.” This, however, was not a novel and was published anonymously in America. It is practically unknown in New Zealand. '“The Top Step” is undoubtedly more than a good story although many may not see this. The reason is probably that the depth in the book is hidden by a superficiality of sentiment that is probably natural in a book written by a woman. What imparts the book with the quality of being

more than a good story is the under-1 standing in it of the types that make up the characters. They are very human and consequently very real. The attitude of the girl, Nualla, who wishes to do something really useful, is typical; her shy stepfather who tries to hide his shyness by appearing irritable and unsympathetic; Jerry, the friend of the family who is so sure and steady; and the weak-willed music master who really believes that each new love will be his “grande passion.” They are all common types, and like all familiar things they have their appeal. The story places these characters in mental attitudes that are as interest-j ing as their reactions. The plot itself is feasible and ingenius, and details as to times and places do not trip each other up, as is often the case with a first novel. The descriptions of surroundings are pleasant and vivid, and provide a second interest in the book, which further proves its quality. Aliss Scanlon ’s style is, on the whole, easy and flowing, although certain conventional phrases appear, which more careful thought might have excluded. For example, “Noo Noo lay on her little white bed, torn with misery” sounds as though the bed w r as small and white out of sympathy for Noo Noo, rather than to give an impression of a bed of an unusual size. The book merits popularity, and Aliss Scanlon’s next book, “Primrose Hill,” should be awaited with interest. It is already on sale in England. New Zealand should encourage her authors instead of taking a “no good came out •of Nazareth” attitude. Her writers are few enough, and there are fewer still of Aliss Scanlon’s ability.