New Books

pacific treasure ISLAND, by Wilfred G. Burchett. (Published by Cheshire Pty. Ltd., Melbourne. 10/6.) New Caledonia is at the cross-roads. It belonged to the French Empire, which the Men of Vichy” betrayed to the Huns; it repudiated Vichy, and declared for de Gaulle and Free France, and it now is carrying on as an independent country, protected by Britain and America; be cause of its enormous mineral wealth, and its magnificent pastoral uplands, it is coveted intensely by Japan; and, be cause it is so near to Australia and New Zealand, its occupation by a potential fee cannot be permitted by the British Dominions. Therefore, a book about New Caledonia is timely, and, in this com pilation—a combination of handbook, and fascinating travel-book—Mr. Burchett has done an exceedingly good job. One reads the book for pleasure, but one also goes to it for all information about the French Colony and former penal station, and one is assisted therein by a full and useful index. The dramatic events of September, 1940, when New Caledonia rejected Vichy and made Sautot governor are told in a special chapter. Australia's feeble and futile handling of the New Caledonian- Australian relationshin is dealt with in effective, forthright fashion.

MY LOVE MUST WAIT, by Ernestine Hill. (Published by Angus & Robertson, Ltd., Sydney. 8/6.) In this striking period novel, the talented author of “The Great Australian Loneliness” tells the tragic life-story and love-affair of Matthew Flinders, famous Pacific explorer. Here is fine writing, romance, a gripping story of adventure, and the absolutely true history of the great navigator who first mapped and named Australia. A book which is certain of a high place among the great Australian novels.

Battle Of The Seaways, By

George H. Johnston. (Published by Angus & Robertson Ltd., Sydney. 8/6.) To Britain, the most vital aspect of the war to-day is the imperative need to keep her ships moving along world trade routes with the food, supplies and equipment necessary to maintain an island nation at war. Without control of the seas, with out ships and men to man them, her struggle against Hitler’s plans for world domination is virtually lost; with them, she cannot be beaten. This new book gives a concise picture of the unceasing war at sea and how Britain slowly is gaining mastery of the Battle of the Atlantic, after a grim year of shipping losses through U-boats, raiders, and far ranging Focke-Wulf bombers. It is a series of connected stories about the sinkings, the heroism of the British Mer cantile Marine and the magnificent work of the Navy. One chapter recounts the depredations of Nazi sea-raiders in the South Pacific, last year. There are a dozen or so excellent photographs to illustrate the graphically-written text.

This is the second sea book of the war

by Mr. Johnston, who is a Melbourne shipping reporter—the first was “Grey

Gladiator”, about the exploits of HMAS Sydney”, in the Mediterranean.

Nemarluk, King Of The Wilds,

by lon L. Idriess. (Published by Angus & Robertson Ltd., Sydney. 4/6.) The author’s note says: “This is the story of Nemarluk . . . king of the wilds. One of the last of the ‘Stone Age’ men, he de served a better fate. I know the ‘wild lands’; I knew Nemarluk personally. . . .

This is a true page from our frontier history: every man and woman lived, or is living now. It is a story of endurance that fought on until the last—the story of the hopeless fight of the ‘Stone Age’ men.” A typical Idriess book, eminently readable, and breathing the spirit of the Australian bush.

A New Fijian Grammar, By C.

Maxwell Churchward, MA, Litt.D. (Pub lished for the Fiji Government by the Australasian Medical Publishing Co., Sydney. 4/-.) A handy and reliable guide

to a knowledge of the Fijian language, explaining the structure and laws of the Bau dialect. In two sections (general and detailed), it gives an abundance of examples and provides a clear explana tion of Fijian words and phrases. The author is a Methodist missionary, who lived for many years in the Colony and who compiled the “Rotuman Grammar and Dictionary’', some time ago.

In The Economics Of Peace,

Australia’s leading banker, Sir Alfred Davidson, supplies a masterly summary, in 76 pages, of the economic and social problems with which the nations will be confronted immediately the war is over.

It is a rather terrifying picture. Despite his associations, Sir Alfred Davidson is a man of liberal, and even radical views; and he clearly recognises that, unless far reaching reforms are introduced, there will be the gravest danger of a breakdown of national economic systems. He realises, also, that our only hope of escaping from the morass is the election to the Parlia ments of “men who are prepared to look ahead to the long-term effect of policy, rather than merely to the next elections”.

A dismal prospect. Still, it is interesting to have this clear picture of what is coming up over the post-war horizon. (Published by Angus & Robertson Ltd., Sydney, at 3/6.)

Practical Navigation, By Thomas

Gilchrist. (Published by Robertson & Mullens Ltd., Melbourne. 8/6.) Written in response to a very real need for a small, reasonably-priced, and easily com prehended work on practical navigation, this book provides in plain language a complete course, by example and ex planation. A series of diagrams and a draft chart serve to enhance the value of the book to students and for practical reference. It should be of use to both the professional and amateur.

Purred Animals Of Australia,

by Ellis Troughton. (Published by Angus &; Robertson, Sydney. 14/6.) Australia, in a zoological sense, is one of the strangest places in the world. It was cut off from other countries such a long time before the present oceans were formed that its reptiles and mammals developed along lines of their own—hence, the marsupials, and queer rodents, and the platypus— survivals from the very dawn of mam malian life. In this monumental work, describing in detail, and with illustra tions, practically all Australian mammals, Mr. Troughton gives to the world a book that not only has great scientific value, but which also has fascinating interest for all nature students.

GELA FOR BEGINNERS, by C. E. Fox, MA, Litt.D. (Published by the Melanesian Mission Press, BSI. 1/6.) An introduction to the Gela language—most widely used and easiest to learn of the Solomon Is lands dialects. It contains four parts— a Gela grammar; sentences; English - Gela vocabulary; and, translation of a Gela folk-tale.