BOOK CORNER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 132, 7 June 1938, Page 11

BOOK CORNER

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

THROUGH TURBULENT YEARS, by Vernon McKenzie (Geoffrey Bles), pp. 309. (per Rowell’s). This book is a keen survey of the international situation by an American Professor of Journalism. His essay into prognostigation is well founded and has already in some particulars been fulfilled, although that is not the chief interest in his book. The outstanding value of the book is that it provides a picture of Germany as she stands to-day, viewed from the standpoint of a democrat, but not devoid of impartiality. His presentation of the situation as ic exists in Germany, or perhaps that had better be qualified by saying prior io the fall of Blomberg and the absorbtion of Austria, is intimate and clear. The German generals know what stands against their chances of winning another war and they are against efforts which shall lead to war. The radical Nazis are looking for further adventures and are likely to look for them abroad. That shortly is Germany to-day. Hitler is being managed as was the Kaiser and the longer he lasts the more is he managed, although he certainly is a man of extreme ability. He cannot continue under the strain, however, and there are signs that he is moving to a crisis. Germany is in a state of nervous tension. This is maintained by the continual spying, the several sets of police, the tapping of wires, and the intrigues of the Nazis themselves. It is said that the Reichwehr is the only safe place for a German, but even that haven has now been destroyed. It is only when a peep is taken into the family life that the condition of Germany can be properly understood, and here it is that everything synthetic or substituted takes the place of the real things of life. The author tells that Herr Hitler is a difficult man to interview, as difficult and as unhelpful as Henry Ford was. Mussolini, on the other hand, has many faces and is conversational, having learned English since he became a Dictator. His teacher taught himself English by attending a play in New York every day for six weeks, plus some grammar and dictionary work. Mussolini has a bright face and he keeps his protruding jaw and gimlet eyes for Press work—it is his Press Face. Carol of Rumania is a man who belies the legend concerning himself. He has not heen the libertine which the Press of the world makes out. His marriage with his Queen was a mistake, but his attention to his own son’s education is excellent and so is the method of educating the heir to the throne. Madame Lupescu is not the power in the land which is supposed and the Iron Guard does not consider her to be their Number One enemy. The Non-Stop” Purge in Russia Is explained, but even after the explanation the situation remains obscure, save that the purging seems to be but the natural process of removing men from office by murder. It seems to be much more harmless to do it by ballot.

The author gives a new story concerning the Italian march to Lake Tsana and reveals that this was the* first time in which a mechanised unit was supplied by aeroplanes with food and fuel to continue the journey over unconquered territory to the lake. Italian efforts to bring up the health of the children by means of camps similar to those established in New Zealand—only on a larger scale in Italy—bring forth the critic’s commendation. The Maginot Line is France’s effort to stave off invasion. Will it achieve its end? It is hard to say, but if engineering skill can do so then the Maginot Line should hold out the enemy. In these troubled years, this American sees in the rc-armament of Great Britain the hope of peace. He takes off his hat to the British and cites a German critic who writes of Britain with approval. The increase in espionage and the development of propaganda departments is studied with a keen eye and some of the details given make good reading which compete with the thrillers. It is not surprising that this (who does not believe that either Germany or Italy are capable of entering into a world war and winning; considers that the world will continue in a state of jitters. “The world is so p'-ccariously balanced, so bittei and so unfair, that we shall probably be ‘.on the verge’ for years yet!’' The reader will find in this book much to confirm the interpretation which has been expressed in the editorial comments of the “Chronicle” of international events as they have occurred over the years. In fact this author could have written most of the “Chronicle” leaders on European events. It is not surprising, therefore, to find that the present reviewer can appraise this book highly and undertake to recommend it with confidence. PUBLICATIONS THE AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL— The April issue of this journal is full of good fiction. This journal is interesting beyond most because it encourages Australian and New Zealand writers. Raymond Parsons, a New Zealand writer, contributes "Here Comes the Bride," and another New Zealander, Will D. More, provides a naturalist tale, "Singer in the Sun” —both contributions are good. Pat Maloney provides some excellent humour with a story of "The Tantalisations of Tuppitt.” An excellent story, entitled “The Black Squatter,” in the series “These Things Have Happened.” gives a good insight into the pioneering days of Victoria from the standpoint of the aboriginal. There are some other excellent features. AUSTRALIAN LlFE— There is still life in Life, the Australian monthly which was so attractive under the editorship of the late Dr. Fitchett. The world was more thoughtful then and the fare of Life was excellent and to the taste. It appears to have passed through a period of doubt and hesitancy and probably the truth is that most of its contents has been syndicated material and consequently

the aroma of the old Life departed hence. Life, was, however, always a good review of world literature and seeing that the Readers' Digest has taken on so well Life has had the courage to change its format and follov' the successful. The features in the April issue are well selected, but it could do with some original material besides that which comes from the pen of Norman Campbell, who is its able editor. In its new shape the Australian Life should pick up. It merits keeping an eye on. FICTION THE TIDE WATCHERS, by Sydney Parkman (Hodder and Stoughton). A good thriller with the tang of the sea is the best hort description of this novel. Parkman knows how to surprise. THE DRONE-MAN by John Ross (Hodder and Stoughton). This is also a thriller best described as a murder mystery. The mystery is solved by Inspector Ward in his own way, and, although the job was an unpleasant one, the author has appropriately supplied him with compensations in the field of romance. PARADE OF THE EMPTY BOOTS, by Charles Alden Seltzer (Hodder and Stoughton), pp. 286. Usually casting his stories in the Wild West, the author has changed the scene and gone 1o the valley of the Mississippi, when river pirates were active and when corruption was rife. Into this situation comes a westerner quick on the draw and sensitive to his new environment, but aware of the superiority of his technique in the art of killing. If a change of scene was all that the author had accomplished, however, this effort could be labelled a usual Seltzer yarn which would not be damning with faint praise. But the book is much more than that, it is a glimpse into a page of American history which has not been explored by the novelist and it is good characterisation and good description. .Seltzer’s plot are always good.

ECONOMICS BALANCES OF PAYMENTS 1936: (League of Nations’ publication). The Economic Intelligence Service of the League of Nations has just published the 1936 issue of its annual volume on Balances of Payments. The volume analyses the international accounts of 36 countries in recent years, as against 29 countries in last year’s edition. All the principal trading countries of the world are included, except Italy, for which no data are available since 1930. To enable students of international economic relations to draw useful conclusions from the material compiled in this volume, most of the statements for individual countries—though not all—are based on a special form which was sent to States’ members of the League, and the full text of which is included in the volume. In any case, comparable figures for the following principal groups of items are given for practically all countries represented: merchandise, interest and dividends, other services, gold, and capital items subdivided into long-term operations and short-term operations. An exhaustive chapter is devoted to a detailed analysis of recent tendencies in international business transactions. The changes in the balance on current account of creditor and debtor countries, the international movements of capital from one country to another, the effects of the recent improvement in world trade and the prices of some raw materials upon the balances of payments of creditor and debtor countries, are subjects of careful scrutiny. Equal attention is paid to the effects of tourist traffic, emigrants’ remittances, capital market and gold movements. Most of the detailed statements given for individual countries are accompanied by a summary table showing the balances, and for the last few years also, the totals of all inward and outward payments. For the sake of easy comparison, these balances have been converted into United States gold , dollars and have been entered in a synoptical table which is a feature of the chapter on recent tendencies.

One of the tables shows that the aggregate balance on account of current international business transactions of the three principal creditor countries, i.e., the United States, the United Kingdom and France, was passive in 1936 by 259 million gold dollars. This, of course, means that a reciprocal change has taken place in the aggregate balance of debvr countries and that the strain to which these countries had been put in their international transactions has relaxed. On the other hand, although there was a considerable increase in international payments of dividends and in receipts from shipping services, which benefited mostly the creditor countries, there were few new capital issues floated in international capital markets for the account of debtor countries. An interesting sign of the general improvement is the rise in international payments on account of tourist expenditure, by nearly 40 per cent, between 1934 and 1936.

A NEW NEW ZEALAND NOVEL It is just five years since "Pageant” was published, yet you need only mention the title to evoke a glow of pleasant memory. And here again the reader will find that marvellous weaving oi history and human story, the same rich measure of humour, tenderness, and pity which made “Pageant” the best-loved novel of its year. The publishers predict an even bigger reception for “Promenade.” This novel does for New Zealand what “Pageant” did for Tasmania. It is a magnificent historical romance set before, during, and after the Maori wars. The author’s characters, splendidly drawn are as diverse and as picturesque as those of “Pageant" and they appear in a setting even more crowded and colourful. Down the century come young colonials, sailors, statesmen, politicians, sheep-men, Maori boys with the mien of princes, and Maori girls with a fabled grace, all in the setting

of a tstirring time and a fascinating country. The time was the 1830’s and an English family of county aristocracy whose financial affairs had been . brought low by the long wars on the ; Continent set out in a little ship to 1 rebuild their fortunes in the land of | the Long White Cloud. "Promenade” is primarily the story I of a woman and a nation. Sally I Lovel married when she was fifteen | and bore her unloved husband the i sons he wanted and the daughter who | never quite counted in his scheme of I things. Sally took her part with grace and kindness when Mr. Lovel rose to power and position. Along the way she found the love that she hadn’t found with the tall, dark, hawk-faced, would-be-king who was her husband. : With the growing-up and coming of age of beautiful Sally Lovel, of her children, and of the tawny-haired I Darien who cared for horses and could tolerate men if she could get money out of them, New Zealand, too, grew up and came of age, pushing back its fierce, proud native race in a stirring life and death struggle.