FASCIST POWER.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 224, 21 September 1928, Page 7

FASCIST POWER.

SUPREME OVER ITALY

Voice In All Matters Relating To Government.

THRONE AND CHURCH AFFAIRS

(Australian Press Assn.—United Service.)

(Received 11.30 a.m.")

ROME, September 20.

The Fascist Grand Council with Signor Mussolini presiding, adopted a measure for governing its constitution. The council will be the supreme organ of the Fascist regime with the Government, co-ordinating the activities of both.

It will sit secretly. Members, including the leaders of the Government and the Fascist party, will be unpaid and immune from arrest or criminal proceedings with the council's consent. The meeting concluded amid cheers for II Duce.

The Grand Council's decisions, which were adopted after an all-night discussion vest the supreme power of Italy in itself. It will be the final Court of Appeal in all questions of interpretations of law and must be consulted in all constitutional measures, including bills relating to the succession to the throne, the King's and the Premier's powers, the composition and attributes of the Grand Council, the Senate and the Chamber, the relations of the State with the Catholic Church, the Government's responsibilities regarding the regulation of syndicalist activities and treaties involving the modification of Italian territory.

Moreover, it will maintain the lists of names for submission to the King in the event of vacancies for the Premiership or Cabinet, and also examines the lists of Parliamentary deputies. The council's President will be the Premier and members will include the presidents of the Senate and Chamber, members of Cabinet, Chief of the General Staff of the Fascist Militia, the presidents of the confederations of labour, agriculture and industry, and ex-secretaries of the Fascist party and others who have served their country well or are qualified to speak on subjects under discusi sion.