Rewi ("Ru-ee") Alley has led a life which few New Zealanders can equal. He was born in 1897 in a small Canterbury township and attended Christchurch Boys' High School. He enlisted at 19 and a year later was on his way to France with the 1st Canterbury Battalion. After being twice wounded and with the Military Medal (but little else) Rewi returned to New Zealand and joined a friend to take up a back country 2000 acre sheep farm in Taranaki under a returned soldiers' settlement scheme. In 1926 he walked off the farm with little to show for the 6 years of hard labour, and worked his passage to China, intending to stay only a few months "to have a look". In fact, a few minor excursions to other countries excepted, Rewi's 'visit' has lasted until this day.

When he arrived in Shanghai in April 1927, he took a job with the Shanghai Municipal Council Fire Brigade as a factory inspector and during his periods of leave he helped with famine and flood relief, particularly in Suiyan and Hankow.

This work was to lead to perhaps Rewi's greatest achievement. In 1938 he organised the Chinese Industrial Co-operatives—known to the Western World as "Indusco" or "Gung Ho"("work together"). These smallscale industries produced the goods required by the community during the Japanese invasion, after centralisation of production was made impossible.

The Co-operatives, which numbered approximately 2000 were specifically designed at that stage to meet the war needs and were based on both civilian and army personnel. However the Chinese Government did little to help the scheme and in fact did what it could to hinder development. The Government of that time saw such a system as contrary to its policy.

Despite this the Co-operatives flourished and Rewi extended his activities to building training schools for the Co-operative apprentices and organisers — notably the schools of Shwangshihpu in Shansi and Sandan in Kansu. He continued this work up to 1948-49 when the Imperialist Government was defeated in the Civil War and the People's Government in effect took over the job Rewi had been doing as part of its policy. As a consequence Rewi's position became rather uncertain until he began to work for the Government: first as a Worker on the Peace Council, then as an official traveller and reporter on conditions in China. He also represented China at various meetings in different parts of the world.

Literary Achievements

Rewi Alley's concentration on writing began in 1948 and has continued to the present day. His widespread interests include poetry, translations, documentary accounts (relating to China and nearby countries), and various smaller pieces.

His latest contribution is Poems for Aotearoa (1972) which he wrote while in New Zealand in 1971-72. This book is simply about places he visited while here and his reflections on 'imperialism'.

It had been assumed all along by the Western World that Rewi was a Communist, but although he was a strong supporter of the Chinese Government and its policies, it was only in 1960 that he joined the Communist Party. Surprisingly, he joined the New Zealand Communist Party while on a return visit here.

His achievements in the literary and social fields are more than significant. He was and is a practical worker. He was deeply involved in social work in China particularly in improving the conditions of workers and peasants. Such work gave him a great insight into the current Chinese scene and an appreciation of just what conditions were required for the worker. This was appreciated by Jawaharlal Nehru who sought to have Rewi work in India as he had done in China.

Rewi contributed in an original way to the development of the New China. The Chinese Industrial Co-operatives, which he initiated and organised provided the blue-print for the communes which now exist under the People's Government.

For many, however, Rewi Alley's greatest contribution has been his literary achievements. His poems are very personal, close, and deeply felt. He is second to none in the translation of Chinese literary works, especially Chinese T'ang Poets (notably Tu Fu 'and Po Chu-i). His documentary and diary accounts are all first-hand and although the standard varies (as with his poetry) these writings are generally good.

In particular, there is one book which he wrote after the death of one of his fellow workers — Fruition—The Story of George Alwyn Hogg — which provides a personal insight to Rewi Alley and his feelings about his comrades.

Rewi Alley has had a variety of tags and descriptions attached to him. He saw himself as "an ordinary New Zealand plug". Others have seen him as "unhesitatingly among my half dozen immortals" and such a description is not uncommon. Edgar Snow saw Rewi as "only medium height, but.....tremendous rugged arms and legs.....When he stood with those giant's legs spread apart in a characteristic attitude, he seemed somehow rooted to the earth.."

The Degree

Victoria University has chosen to honour Rewi Alley by bestowing on him a Doctor of Literature by way of recognising the contribution he has made to literature. He has been described by one critic as "a good poet, a brilliant translator, and a workman-like author"

In 1948 Rewi Alley turned down a knighthood from the British Government. That he has actually accepted a Lit. D. from this University must not pass unnoticed.

— G.R.C.