30 NOVEMBER 1929, Page 32

Mr. W. A. S. Hewins has recorded his experiences of

political and economic work in two formidable volumes entitled The Apologia, of an Imperialist (Constable, 30s.). As Mr. Joseph Chamberlain's economic adviser and secretary of the Tariff Commission of 1903, Mr. Hewins played a considerable part for some years. Neither the country nor his own party have endorsed his fiscal views. But in so far as Mr. Hewins has sought to promote a better understanding between Great Britain and the Dominions, his work has served a useful purpose. He has much to say about the turns and twists of the party game, especially during and after the War. But he has always tended to play a lone hand and his statements about particular incidents must be read with caution, because he had no great liking or respect for any of his leaders except Mr. Chamberlain and—in his later years—Lord Balfour. Mr. Hewins recalls with justifiable pride his share in establish- ing the London School of Economics in 1895 and his eight years' term of office as its first director.