New Zealand writers will be interested in the fact that the Australian Federal Government has decided to grant Commonwealth writers up to £6,500 a year. I have received advance details of the proposed scheme which will shortly come into force in a small way. The estimated financial costs are as follow.

Subsidies (to writers).—If ten books are subsidised at an average subsidy of, say, £125, £1,250; readers’ fees on books written, £100.

Publication (to publishers).—Seven subsidised books at £100, £700; advance royalties to authors, £200; two reprinted classics, say, £200; one book of poetry and plays, £50; one historical or economic work, £200.

Endowment for dramatic productions.—£200.

Administrative expenses.—Secretarial expenses, expenses to members of council, office and unforeseen expenses, £250.

Pensions.—Two pensions first class, £400; thirty pensions second class, £2,340.

The next step is the appointment of the proposed literary Council. The Fellowship of Australian Writers considers that certain qualifications are essential: (1) The Council should consist of creative writers, and they suggest Miss Flora Eldershaw and Mr. Frank Dalby Davidson, M.B.E., of Sydney, and Messrs. Vance Palmer and Frank Wilmot, of Melbourne. These writers are suggested because they have the necessary literary and other qualifications, Le., literary standing, administrative ability, and the responsibility of status in the community. The Fellowship is also of opinion that the secretary of the council should be a creative writer with constructive and administrative ability.

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“The Greatest Drama Ever Staged”—“The official creed of Christianity,” has been written by Dorothy L. Sayers, who is known to most people only as a writer of detective fiction. In this little book she engages in some new detective work. In short, she tells the story of the drama of Christ and what it means to mankind.

At the conclusion of the year several of our large colleges produce annuals recording the year's work and play, and containing also literary efforts of the pupils. It is pleasing to note the high quality of these publications.

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For one reason, perhaps the only reason, it is fortunate that “Art in New Zealand” is not a wealthy concern, for with money to spend the temptation might be to bulk out each issue; to give quantity instead of quality. With its limited resources the quarterly is forced to limit its illustrations and its letterpress, with the result that those artists and writers who find space in the magazine have to touch a fine standard. Even so, the quarterly found space in its last issue to feature the exhibition of children's art at the National Gallery. Supported by a critical and most helpful survey by Roland Hipkins, there are published several plates of children's work. Other articles, a story and two poems, complete the issue.

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Reviews.

“The Australian Aboriginies; How to Understand Them,” by Professor A. P. Elkin (Angus & Robertson, Sydney), is spoken of as “the finest contribution to our knowledge of the aboriginies since Spencer Gillen's famous volumes were published.” Certainly the mass of information, the classification of the material, its illustrations and its indexing justify the hope that it will be one of. the leading standard text books for students of Australian anthropological lore. Apart from this aspect the work will lend great assistance to the movement towards a better understanding, adjustment and cultural advancement of the aboriginies. The author describes at length the tribal laws, the philosophy, religion and social stratum of the race. As professor of anthropology at the University of Sydney he has lectured many times on his subject, the material for which he gained from exhaustive research and intimate contact with the natives for many years in various parts of Australia. The illustrations are interesting and numerous.

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“Maelstrom,” by E. V. Timms (Angus & Robertson, Sydney) is one of the most ambitious historical novels ever written by an Australian born novelist. Already Timms has been called the Sabatini of Australia, and if there has been any doubt as to his right to this title it is certainly removed by “Maelstrom.” The story opens with the death of Cardinal Richelieu who has ever been a favourite subject of historical novelists. The author takes the accepted Dumas portrait of the famous French Cardinal statesman and page 66 dwells more on his reputed evil doings than on his great work for his country. We meet Monsieur le Diable and his band of “Immortals” who, during Richelieu's life, have been a thorn in his side. “The Devil” is a mysterious Englishman, who, with his followers, believes that it is not wrong to kill and plunder as long as they do so in the interests of their own ideas of right. However, the Devil is a most appealing character, and the curious interweavings of his earlier romance bring into the picture the innocent maid Felicite and the more worldly Charlotte. The sinister figure in the romantic association is the Marquis de Saint-Severes. These people play strange parts in the destinies of the France of the period. In a story rich in the historical colours of the period we plunge into a maelstrom of intrigue of slaughter, of love, and laughter, and journey from France to England and then to Canada. It is a wonderfully engrossing story. In his final chapter the author gives a fine appreciative picture of the work of early French missionaries in Canada.

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“New Zealand English,” by Professor Arnold Wall (Whitcombe & Tombs, Ltd.) has on the cover a picture of a man talking to the “mike.” This, however, is not only a book for radio speakers, it is one for everybody. Briefly it is a guide to the correct pronunciation of English with special reference to New Zealand conditions and problems. Professor Wall is a recognised authority on English and how it should be spoken, so the value and reliability of the work is unquestioned. Professor James Shelley writes an introduction and commends the book to the attention of lecturers, speakers and teachers as a thoroughly sound and interesting guide to the study of our speech.

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“The Lyrebird, Australia's Wonder-Songster,” by R. T. Littlejohns, R.A.O.U. (Angus & Robertson, Sydney) is a beautifully produced book, telling in picture and letterpress of this much admired bird, concerning which the author has made an intensive study. Most of the beautiful photographs included in the publication were taken by the author after many hours of patient waiting. They show the lyre bird in many phases of its natural environment. The book promises to have quite as successful a run as another book on the same subject published some years ago.

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“Brown Man's Burden,” by Roderick Finlayson (the Unicorn Press, Auckland) is a collection of stories of New Zealand life almost solely about the Maori people. Several of the stories have already appeared in “Tomorrow,” a Christchurch journal, and one in the Auckland “Star.” I like the simple sincerity of these yarns. The writer has an easy literary style. The subject matter of some of the stories, however, might be in a brighter vein. The format of the book is excellent, much ahead of average New Zealand book production.

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New Zealand writers continue to find favour with London publishers. In addition to two books of essays due for publication shortly, is a book on mountaineering, by John Pascoe who is employed by the Internal Affairs Department, doing literary work in connection with the Centennial, and a book on bird life in New Zealand, “The Children of Tane,” by Mora Gordon.

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“The Land of Byamie,” by Keith McKeown (Angus & Robertson, Sydney) is one of the most valuable books published about the Australian aboriginal. For the first time the nature legends of the Australian native are told in popular and readable form. Many of these legends, which are genuine products of the aboriginal mind, have in the past been recorded in bald language by anthropological writers. Without interfering with their primitive charm and interest, Mr. McKeown has “endowed them with the breath of life,” and has given us a most interesting volume. The folk lore of the aboriginal is revealed in its many contrasting forms—whimsical and brutal, humorous and dramatic—but always interesting. In a foreword Dame Mary Gilmore states that this is “one of the most important books ever written on the aborigines.” Mr. McKeown will, by his latest book, add to his already big reputation as an Australian writer. Numerous illustrations add to the interest of the book.