WoinKs OF REFERENCE.—The Industrial Tear Book, 1922' edited by Mr.
Philip Gee (40 King Street, Covent-Garden,.36s. net), is a new work which promises to be of great value to all who take commercial and economic questions seriously. This substantial volume is designed to give " the :salient facts and essential figures of British economic activity throughout its whole range," and the aim is attained with commendable thoroughness. Sir Robert Horne contributes a preface to the opening chapter on " The National Wealth." The succeeding chapters are devoted to the principal industries ; much use is made of the Census of Production of 1907 and statistics are, as a rule, given for the years from 1905 onwards. Then come chapters on Trade Unions, Labour, Employers' Economics, Commerce, Insurance, the Dominions, foreign countries, overseas trade, and so on. While the several industries are not all described with equal care, the book as a whole abounds in information for which we should look in vain in any other dozen works. It is a really useful addition to the reference library.—The Anglo-South American Handbook for 1922, edited by Mr. W. H. Koebel for the Federation of British Industries (T. Fisher Unwin, 25s. net), is the second issue of a book which merchants and investors might _study. with advantage. It is devoted to the trade, finance and resources of South America, Central America, Mexico and Cuba, and gives the essential details of the constitution and government of each country, with hints for travellers.—The Japan Year Book, 1921-22, edited by Professor Takenob (Tokyo : Japan Year Book Office), is now in its sixteenth year. It is an elaborate cyclopaedia, of Japanese affairs, with special reference to economics and finance. It has been compiled with patient industry and is particularly well arranged and printed. At the end is an interesting " Who's Who in Japan," filling over 130 piges. There is also a scholarly chapter on " Arts and Crafts," both old and new.—The Royal Blue Book Court Guide for May, 1922 (Kelly's Directories, Rts. 6d. net), appears with its accustomed punctuality. There are spots in the sun, and a few changes of address are missed in the " Blue Book " ; but its accuracy is, on the whole, astonishing.
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