New Zealand

Abstract

W. P. Reeves, The Long White Cloud (Allen & U., 4th edn 1950) still offers a perceptive and readable introduction by a brilliant elder statesman. Other hands bring the story up to date. Another older work, J. B. Condliffe's New Zealand in the Making (1930), long the basic book on economic and social history, has been reprinted with a sequel, The Welfare State in New Zealand (both Allen & U., 1959). These two volumes are invaluable, but need correction and supplement, e. g. by C. F. G. Simkin, The Instability of a Dependent Economy (Oxf., 1951). H. Belshaw (ed.) New Zealand (U. California P., 1947) fills awkward gaps, but for vigorous general surveys, using recent research and unimpaired by undue deference to accepted tradition, K. Sinclair, A History of New Zealand (Penguin, n.i. 1970) and W. H. Oliver, The Story of New Zealand (Faber, cl and pb 1960) are outstanding. Sinclair offers solid history, well presented and followed by a lively but scholarly personal assessment of recent trends. Oliver's viewpoint is somewhat different, and the two books balance nicely. The Education Department, Wellington, supplies excellent Bulletins to schools; some of the best of the historical series have been reprinted in a good working handbook: W. P. Morrell and D. O. W. Hall, A History of New Zealand Life (Whitcombe & T., 2nd edn). H. Miller, New Zealand (Hutchinson, 1950) is a bold, freehand essay addressed to adults, F. L. Wood, This New Zealand (Hammond, 1958) is an analysis of present-day New Zealand in the light of its history.